A report released by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health stated that tobacco companies have been using menthol in their products to keep older smokers and to attract young ones.
Nearly 500 internal tobacco-industry documents were reviewed from 1985 to 2007, with the results showing that tobacco companies researched how levels of menthol could increase cigarette sales. It was concluded that young smokers preferred a mild menthol that would smooth over the rough taste of tobacco. Smokers who had been smoking for years liked the stronger varieties of menthol, as this would have a cooling effect on their throats.
With the Food and Drug Administration controlling tobacco most flavored cigarettes will be taken off the market, with the exception of menthol. But if is found that menthol adds to the health risks of smoking then it will be banned as well.
Pure tobacco is probably a lot less harmful than the chemically soaked cigarettes that smokers smoke today, and all flavored cigarettes should be banned. Especially since they attract children to smoking.
[Via: ajc.com]
