AWMA President & CEO, Scott Ramminger, is scheduled to testify before the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee on March 17th on the issue of whether or not to ban menthol.  Ramminger was invited to speak before the Committee as part of the Open Public Hearing and his remarks will be considered, along with the other statements and submissions, as part of the recommendation that will be issued on March 22nd by the Committee.

Ramminger’s testimony before the Committee follows a letter AWMA sent to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) urging that agency not to consider a ban on menthol cigarettes.  In the letter to the FDA, AWMA notes that any action to ban this product would likely result in a significant increase in the contraband market.  AWMA noted in the letter to FDA that such action would “make no sense” in the face of solid scientific studies showing that menthol cigarettes have no different health effects than non-menthol cigarettes.

AWMA has also provided a pre-written letter on the government affairs portion of our Web site that allows members to send their views opposing any ban on menthol directly to the FDA for consideration.  

Ramminger’s remarks before the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee will be available on the FDA Web site following the meeting.  AWMA will have this testimony available on our Web site as well as soon as it becomes available.