Menthol and Tobacco Smoking

Menthol and Tobacco Smoking

An exhaustive study is underway to understand the consequences of including menthol in cigarettes and other tobacco products and the health benefits of cessation of those products.

This site is dedicated to the Father of Medical Informatics,
Donald A.B. Lindberg, M.D. our mentor.
Samuel Garten, Ph.D., M.S., M.S. and R. Victor Falkner, M.A., M.S., M.A.L.S.

Newport Cigarette Growth

Menthol Cigarette Growth

Origin Menthol Cigarettes

Menthol Uses & Chemistry

Menthol & Cold Receptors

Mechanism - Menthol & Tobacco

Menthol Actions - Respiratory Tract

Menthol - Masking Warning Symptoms

Menthol - Applied, Amount, Nicotine Impact

Menthol Impact - Tobacco Documents

Nicotine & Tar Content

Raves, Ecstasy & Menthol

Julep Cigarettes

Mentholites:

October 3, 2006 A highly concentrated chemical in cigarette smoke, acrolein, alters genes and may be an important cause of lung cancer, according to a study to appear in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers at the New York University School of Medicine in Tuxedo found acrolein mutated DNA and hindered cells trying to repair genetic damage. Acrolein is 1,000 times more prevalent than other chemicals in cigarette smoke believed to cause cancer, the study said. The findings increase understanding of how smoking causes lung cancer and could be used to help make cigarettes safer, the researchers said. (by Kevin Orland, Bloomberg.com, korland@bloomberg.net) It's intertesting to note that Thomas Edison felt that acrolein was the injurious agent in cigarettes - he wrote Henry Ford:Orange, N.J.,April 26, 1914,Friend Ford - The injurious agent in cigarettes comes principally from the burning paper wrapper.The substance thereby formed, is called "Acrolein." It has a violent action on the nerve centers, producing degeneration of the cells of the brain, which is quite rapid among boys.Unlike most narcotics this degeneration is permanent and uncontrollable. I employ no person who smokes cigarettes. Yours Thos A Edison... October 3, 2006 - Altria Group Inc.'s Philip Morris USA and other U.S. cigarette makers lost their bid to delay enforcement of a racketeering decision the companies claim may cost them hundreds of millions of dollars. U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler in Washington today refused to delay the decision while the cigarette makers appeal. She ruled Aug. 17 that the companies violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, in a case filed in 1999 by the U.S. Department of Justice. (by Joel Rosenblatt, jrosenblatt@bloomberg.net, Bloomberg.com) OCTOBER 1, 2006 - International sports events including the Formula One Grand Prix will today lose their exemption from an Australian ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship, the government said. The Australian government had given the Formula One Grand Prix, Motorcycle Grand Prix and three other events six years to find alternative sponsors. Both the grand prix events still had tobacco sponsorship yesterday, the government said in a statement. Formula One is the last major sport to allow cigarette ads. The European Union banned tobacco sports sponsorship and advertising last year. Companies including Japan Tobacco Inc., Imperial Tobacco Group Plc and British American Tobacco Plc have pulled out of Formula One sponsorship deals in the past year. ``Sporting events such as the Australian Grand Prix can no longer carry tobacco advertising,'' Christopher Pyne, parliamentary secretary to the health minister, said in the government's statement. ``We set the October 2006 deadline to allow sufficient time for organizers to negotiate alternative sponsorship arrangements.'' The three other events whose exemptions also ended today -- the Ladies Masters Golf, the Indy 300 and Rally Australia -- have all found alternative sponsors, according to the government. To contact the reporter on this story: Hans van Leeuwen in Sydney at hvanleeuwen1@bloomberg.net (Bloomberg.com). Last Updated: September 30, 2006 18:41 EDT SEPTEMBER 28, 2006 -RJR ramping up weekend production Winston-Salem Journal, Richard Carver, reporter -About 80 percent of production employees at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. will be working mandatory overtime on weekends for several weeks to help overcome a major cigarette shortage, the manufacturer said. In particular - shortages of Doral, Monarch, Vantage and Winston. Shortages started because of a packaging supply problem. SEPTEMBER 26, 2006 - Light Cigarettes Suit Could Extract a Heavy Price on Tobacco Companies - Contrary to what tobacco companies had hoped for, U.S. District Judge Jack B. Weinstein in Brooklyn, N.Y. made a pre-trial ruling yesterday allowing as many as 50 million light cigarette smokers to claim class-action status in a lawsuit against the country's major tobacco companies. Also included in this ruling in a 2004 lawsuit was an allegation that Philip Morris USA [now Altria] (MO), Reynolds American Inc.'s (RAI) R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., and Loews Corp.'s (LTR) Lorillard Tobacco unit lied to consumers by advertising "light" cigarettes as being healthier than the regular high-tar version. The plaintiffs are seeking between $120 billion and $200 billion in damages, the approximate amount that the tobacco companies gained through their alleged deception. As a result, Altria announced it would delay its planned breakup and spinoff of its 88%-owned Kraft division. Altria's stock went down $5.26, or 6.4%, to $77.06. Reynolds shares fell $2.27, or 3.7%, to $59.75. Tobacco companies are appealing the ruing in the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York. (retail.seekingalpha.com/article/17502) SEPTEMBER 19, 2006 - A study lead by researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital found one-third of attention deficit hyperactivity cases are linked to prenatal exposures to cigarette smoke or childhood exposures to lead (Los Angeeles Times). SEPTEMBER 7, 2006 - Also contributing to Marlboro’s success is the performance of Marlboro Menthol. The menthol segment has been growing for several years and Marlboro Menthol has shared in this growth. Marlboro Menthol’s share is up 1.2 share points over the last three years while the menthol segment has increased by one share point. During this time, Marlboro has grown its share of the menthol segment from 12% to 16.1% and is now the number two menthol brand behind Newport. This year, Marlboro Menthol has benefited from enhanced packaging and retail merchandising. With Marlboro Menthol and other offerings, Marlboro has remained true to its heritage and its flavor proposition while offering a portfolio of products that meet the tastes of adult smokers. (part of remarks of Michael E. Szymanczyk Chairman & CEO Philip Morris USA at the Prudential Consumers Confernece Boston 9/7/2006) JULY 28, 2006 - According to the results of a population-based study patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (refers to several different types of cancer that originate within the immune system) who are heavy smokers and large consumers of alcohol appear to have a worse survival than those who do not drink or smoke tobacco heavily. (Battaglioli T et al., Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption as determinants of survival in non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: a population-based study, Annals of Oncology 17:1283-1289, 2006) Previous studies have indicated that smoking tobacco may increase the risk of developing non-Hogdkin's lymphoma. JULY 11, 2006 - Governor Mike Easley of NC signed a bill into law on Monday (7/10/06) that bans smoking in legislative buildings. The smoking ban covers the main areas where state legislative business takes place. Until now, visitors to the Legislative Building and the Legislative Office Building could regularly spot lawmakers, lobbyists, reporters and others puffing away in meetings and the hallways. NO MORE. The News & Observer - 5B - Raleigh - (see related abstract below dated JUNE 14, 2006) JULY 9, 2006 - The FDA has approved Pfizer's anti-smoking drug Champix (varenicline).Champix is unique because it is specifically designed to partially activate nicotinic receptors and reduce the severity of the smoker's craving and the withdrawal symptoms from nicotine. The drug is said to nearly double the probability of long term cessation in patients. (Times of Oman by Visvas Paul D. Karra) JULY 1, 2006 - UK raises age limit to buy cigarettes to 18. Health ministers are to ban the sale of tobacco to 16- and 17-year olds from 2007, changing a law that was put in place 70 years ago. It will mean that from 2007, a 17-year old will be old enough in law to drive, fight in Iraq, have sex and get married - but too young to vote or buy alcohol or cigarettes. (Tobacco Journal International Newsletter, 06 July 2006)_ JUNE 28, 2006 - The risk of leukemia in childhood appears to be increased when fathers smoke, even if the smoking occurs before conception and with exposure to smoking after birth. Study author: Dr. Jeffrey S. Chang, University of California, Berkeley - based on 16 cases and 8 controls. June issue of American Journal of Epidemiology. (Reuters UK) JUNE 20, 2006 - A study in the journal Thorax online finds that smokers with a lot of wrinkles are far more likely to have lung damage than smokers with less-lined faces. Heavily wrinkled smokers were 5 times more likely as other smokers to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 149 current and former smokers who had smoked at least one pack of cigarettes a day for 5 years were looked at. (The News & Observer, Raleigh) JUNE 14, 2006 - the North Carolina Senate Health Committee unanimously approved a bill to ban smoking within General Assembly buildings, as lawmakers in the nation's leading tobacco-producing state (300 million pounds per year, 70% of all the flue-cured tobacco grown in the nation) crack tobacco smoking. Senate and House members have both outlawed smoking within their chambers over the last 3-years but a handful of legislators and observers are still allowed to enjoy a smoke in other corridors and rooms. The General Assembly has previously banned smoking in public museums, libraries, prisons and public health centers. (The Wilmington Star) JUNE 12, 2006 - Marriott at City Center (Newport News, Virginia) will be totally a smoke-free environment. On Thursday, June 15, 2006, the full-service hotel and conference center opens as the only one that is 100% smoke free. Comments from Bruce Smith, General Manager, "Properties world-wide, from intimate bed and breakfast to major international hotels are going smoke-free because it makes good sense. With today's emphasis on wellness and healthy lifestyle, we want to make sure our hotel provides a fresh, healthy environment for our guests and associates." (PR Newswire) It is interested to note that John Rolfe landed in this area of Virginia in 1609 - where he made tobacco the 1st great American enterprise. JUNE 12, 2006 - FIFA World Cup, Germany, 2006 - Mexican soccer coach, Ricardo Lavolpe will be asked to stop smoking during Mexico's World Cup matches. FIFA (Federation International Football Association) has already asked all coaches not to smoke during soccer games. (India News) JUNE 10, 2006 - Some anti-smoking groups and tobacco companies are calling for the European Union to relax its ban on a form of oral smokeless tobacco called "snus". Widely used in Sweden, snus is moist tobacco which is placed under the lip. It comes in pouches resembling minature tea bags and releases nicotine into the bloodstream through the gums. Since Sweden and Norway enforced smoking bans in public places, sales of snus has soared. It has become increasingly popular among some smokers who use it to wean themselves off cigarettes. But scientists around the world remain divided about how dangerous snus really is. Snus is available in various flavors such as lemon, coffee, cranberry and mint. (A Safer Alternative To Smoking? by Daniel Cooke, BBC) See below May 3, 2006 - Philip Morris will be test marketing a spit free smokeless tobacco called Taboka starting in July 2006. This product seems similar to snus discussed above. JUNE 8, 2006 - Tobacco giants test smoke-free products. Mark Smith of RJ Reynolds indicates, "we're just responding to meeting consumer demand. Smoking bans are making it more difficult for adult smokers to enjoy a tobacco product." Camel Snus (pronounced snoose - same name as Swedish product - see June 10, 2006 above) went on sale this week in convenience stores in Portland, OR and Austin, TX. Users tuck the tobacco pouch into their cheek but don't spit or chew. Reynolds sells the product in 15-pouch tins. Philip Morris's product Taboka (see May 3, 2006 below) which will be test marketed in Indianapolis in July comes in a 12-pouch pack and costs about the same as a pack of Marlboro. (USA Today, by Wendy Koch) MAY 30, 2006 - Supreme Court Agrees to hear the Philip Morris case with $80 million in damages. The Supreme Court said today that it will decide if PM must pay these damages to a long time smoker (janitor who smoked 3-packs of Marlboro a day before he died in 1997 of lung cancer, started smoking in the 1950s while serving in the Army in Korea), A CASE THAT COULD SHIELD COMPANIES FROM LARGE JURY AWARDS. The Oregon Supreme Court had ruled that the amount was not excessive given the "extraordinary reprehensible" conduct of PM in marketing cigarettes. ARGUMENTS WILL BE HEARD IN THE FALL - 2006. (The Associated Press) MAY 27, 2006 - Children (irrespective of gender, ethnicity and economic status - aged 11 to 16 years)who smoke just one or two cigarettes in their childhood are more likely to be hooked to the habit later in life, according to a new study by researchers at the University College London found in the July issue of Tobacco Control. This is the 1st time that a period of 'dormant vulnerability' has been shown, whereby smoking a single cigarette can leave children susceptible to smoking uptake for several years (the sleeper effect). (Earthtimes.org, Darya Zarin, May 27, 2006) MAY 23, 2006 - Cigarette maker Reynolds American said on Tuesday (May 23, 2006) it had received antitrust approval from the US Federal Trade Commission for its $3.5 billion purchase of Conwood, then number 2 player in the smokeless tobacco industry. (Tobaccojournal.com, May 26, 2006)Conwood is the only company to compete in 5 segments of the US smokeless tobacco industry, manufacturing moist and dry snuff, and loose leaf, plug and twist chewing tobacco. Moist snuff accounts for more than 70% of sales, led by both its premium-priced Kodiak brand and its rapidly growing valued-priced Grizzly brand. The leader is United States Smokeless Tobacco makers of Skoal and Copenhagen. (Reynolds American holds products from RJ Reynolds, Sante Fe Natural Tobacco, Lane Limited (cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco) and RJ Reynolds Global products - 2005.) MAY 3, 2006 - Philip Morris USA is set to test market (starting in July 2006) a spit-free smokeless tobacco called Taboka in Indianopolis, IN. The product is marketed toward smokers who want to find alternatives to cigarettes. The spit-free feature was designed to help attract those who find the traditional smokeless tobacco unappealing or unacceptable. (Taboka Tobaccopaks will come in 2-versions; Original and TABOKA GREEN which is PM's MENTHOL Version.) (WTHR-TV Indianapolis, IN) MARCH 23, 2006 - Youth Smoking rates on the decline yet big tobacco still raking in big bucks. Even though U.S. youth smoking rates are on the decline, tobacco companies are still raking in big bucks from youth smokers, and in fact, their profits are increasing. According to a new report in the April issue of the journal Tobacco Control, in 1997 U.S. youth smoked 890 million packs of cigarettes, which amounted to $737 million in revenue for the tobacco industry. However in 2000, youth cigarette smoking levels dropped to 541 million packs of cigarettes, yet revenue for Big Tobacco jumped to $1.2 billion as a result of an increase in the wholesale price of cigarettes. (All Headline News) MARCH 8, 2006 - Cigarette sales fall sharpely in 2005 according to the National Assoc of Attorneys General Tobacco Commitee. The group cites figures compiled by the Tobacco Tax Bureau of the US Dept. of Treasury showing that sales in 2005 declined by 4.2% from 2004 levels - marking the largest one-year decrease since 1999. The 378 billion cigarettes sold in the US in 2005 represented the lowest number of cigarettes sold in the US since 1951 - the US population has more than doubled in size since then. There has been an 8-year decline in cigarette sales of 21% since the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, 1998. (Consumeraffaairs.com) MARCH 3, 2006 - Puerto Rico Governor Anibal Vila signed a bill that makes Puerto Rico the 13th United States state/district/territory to go smokefree, joining California, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Montana, Vermont, Wasington, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. The law eliminates tobacco smoke in bars, casinos and other workplaces, as well as in private cars with children under 13 years old aboard. (Tobacco Journal International 3/3/2006) JANUARY 27, 2006 - California became the first state to declare second-hand smoke (passive smoke) a toxic pollutant citing its link with breast cancer. The decision by the Caliofornia Air Resources Board puts environmental tobacco smoke in the same category as diesel exhausts, arsenic and benzene. Experts said the decision may have more impact worldwide than if does in the largely smoke-free state. Scientists at the Califronia Office of Environmental Health blamed second-hand for 4000 deaths each year in California from lung cancer and heart disease. (MSNBC New Service, 1/27/2006). OCTOBER 18, 2005 - California has become the 3rd US state to require tobacco companies to meet standards for self-extinguishing cigarettes. These cigarettes are made with special paper designed to stop the cigarette from burning if it is not actively smoked. Approximately 25% of fires are caused by cigarettes. New York and Vermont have encated similar legislation. (Winston-Salem Journal) JUNE 1, 2005 - There's a disturbing gap in the smoking rates of Black and White Chicagoans, according to a study released in the June issue of the American Journal of Public Health, and it's...true mentholated cigarettes contain the most nicotine and are almost entirely marketed to the Black community," said Steve Whitman, director of the Sinai Urban Health Institute. According to the report, "Smoking in Six Diverse Chicago Communities - A Population Study," smoking rates in predominately Black neighborhoods were doubled that of whites. Also a 2002 report from San Doego State University states that African Americans facing day-to-day racial discrimination in employment, housing and health services are more likely to use cigarette smoking as a means of coping with their stress --- "47,000 African Americans die annually because of smoking, or 'nicodemon,' as we call it," says K. Ron Harris of the National African American Tobacco Prevention Network. Lawsuits...claimed the 2004 "Kool MIXX" promotion, billed as a "celebration" of Hip Hop music and culture, violated the 1998 national tobacco Master Settlement Agreement by targeting African American youth [handing out cigarettes]. RJR agreed to pay $1.46 million for youth smoking prevention programs. "The tour...began May 13 in Boston...held in 14 cities...we check ID's and give [cigarettes]...to people who show they're already smokers," said rep Craig Fishel. "...It's a subtle kind of institutional racism," said Chicago native TripleBlak, a nationally known spoken word performer who's appeared on HBO's "Def Comedy Jam." (Study: racial discrimination plays part in disparity among minority, white smokers by Karen E. Pride, Chicago Defender, original article at: http://www.chicagodefender.com/page/local.cfm?ArticleID=947) - rvf - see related Kool MIXX promotion stories below. JANUARY 17, 2005 - Still being determined in which R.J. Reynolds and Brown & Williamson brands the combined company will focus its marketing on. Eventually all the combined company's cigarettes will be produced in Forsyth County (in NC), Reynolds' home county. The former Brown & Williamson plant in Macon, GA, will be shut down by mid-2006. "Merger revs up cigarette plant" - Associated Press - Winston-Salem - The Raleigh News & Observer DECEMBER 14, 2004 - Tobacco lobby and its influence in American politics.. In the 106 Congress, Republicans voted pro-tobacco over 3-times as often as Democrats. However, for those Democrats who voted pro-tobacco, the relationship between receiving tobacco industry PAC money and a pro-tobacco vote was stronger than it was for Republicans. A study conducted by Douglas A. Luke, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Tobacco Policy at St. Louis University, School of Public Health. Luke, DA and Krauss M, Where there's smoke there's money. Tobacco industry campaign contributions and U.S. congressional voting, American Journal of Preventive Medicine 27(5-Dec): 363-372, 2004. (medi lexicon) DECEMBER 13, 2004 - R. J. Reynolds will increase list prices on certain brands and reduce retail discounts on others. Details on which brands will see price increases or discount reductions were not provided. RJR, a subsidiary of Reynolds American Inc. said its actions are a result of higher costs due to the recent federal enactment of the tobacco buyout legislation and increased obligations under its master settlement with the states. (WFMY News - Greensboro, NC) DECEMBER 12, 2004 - Altria's Group Inc.'s Philip Morris USA division is raising its cigarette prices by cutting promotions by 10 cents on Marlboro, Basic, Parliament and Virginia Slims after the discounts hurt earnings the past 2-years. Philip Morris USA started the 65-cents discount in late 2002 to lure back smokers who switched to lower-price makers. The average price of a Marlboro last quarter was $3.60 a pack in convenience store, $1.14 higher than the most deeply discounted cigarettes. Philip Morris USA's discounts helped top-selling Marlboro gain market share, but eroded profits by 24%. During the 3rd quarter that ended in September, discounts helped Marlboro add 1.1% to Philip Morris market share, lifting it to 49.9%. Marlboro's share rose 1.5% points to 39.6% from the 3rd quarter of 2003. Cigarette makers are raising prices and cutting discounts Congress mandated they pay $9.7 billion to buy out tobacco farmers hurt by declining demand. (Chris Burritt, Bloomberg News) DECEMBER 08, 2004 - Cigarette makers have revved up price promotions in recent, years, a strategy they know will lead to more underage smoking, states an economist testifying in the US government's racketeering trial against the industry. Frank Chaloupka, an economist at the Univeristy of Illinois, told a federal judge that spending on cigarette price promotions had soared in recent years and that the industry has long known discounts are especially attractive to teenagers. Statistics compiled by the FTC show that the 6-largest cigarette manufacturers spent more than $7.8 billion on price discounts to retailers and wholesalers in 2002. Spending on the discounts and other promotional allowances now makes up the biggest portion of the industry's advertising and promotional budgets. Between 2001 and 2002 it more than doubled to $9.66 billion, according to figures compiled by the FTC. (Tobacco Journal International Online (08Dec2004) NOVEMBER 17, 2004 - Survey links stress to rising rates of chocolate, tobacco consumption. Americans increasingly are turning to comfort food and tobacco to help deal with stress. The University of Michigan's American Customer Satsfaction Index for the 3rd quarter of 2004 was 74.3 down slightly from 74.4 in the 2nd quarter. But customer satisfaction ratings for individual companies like candy makers Hershey and Mars and the tobacco industry are up. "The public's concern about safety, the war in Iraq, rising health care costs and oil prices, all fueled by the presidential election campaign, may have contributed," wrote Claes Fornell, director of the consumer index. (Detroit Free Press, Associated Press, Wednesday, Novemner 17, 2004) NOVEMBER 11, 2004 - Counterfeit Newport Cigarettes - An Illinois district court judge has for a second time awarded damages to Lorillard Tobacco Company after ruling that a Chicago-area gas station was selling counterfeit versions of Lorillard's cigarettes. Judge Holderman awarded $250,000 to Greensboro, NC Lorillard after finding that S&M Central Service Corp. knowingly distributed counterfeit cigarettes bearing Lorillard's brand names. (S&M sells consumer products and operates service bays in Chicago location.) In September, an Illinois District Court fined distributor Canstar USA $2.5 million for a similar infringement. Lorillard continues its pursuit of similar counterfeiting actions in CA, NY, NJ, AZ, NV, TX, KA, PA and NC. (Tobacco Journal Online Newsletter 11Nov2004) OCTOBER 30, 2004 - Allowing Tobacco Industry to Kill 400,000 Americans per year .... U.S House Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas)has stated, "our founding fathers, many of them grew tobacco. If they knew we were trying to regulate one of the first cash crops that made our nation independent, I don't think they would appreciate that." Barton is the Chairman of the House Commitee on Energy and Commerce has the power to assure anti-tobacco bills are never considered and thus "die in-committee". Barton's defense of tobacco along with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's support of the tobacco industry has lowered Texas to the morbid status as the leading Tobacco State. (Letters to the Editor North Texas e-News, Leonard Jensen) OCTOBER 7, 2004 - Attorneys Generals from Illinois, New York and Maryland on Wednesday (10/6/2004) announced a settlement with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Reynolds bought Brown & Williamson in July 2004 - see news brief below)that prohibited the inclusion of hip-hop songs on the CD-ROM with other restraints. The settlement also bans the use of "Kool," "Mixx" or "House of Menthol" on any merchandise; prohibits the sale of "special edition" packs in retail stores and prohibits the "House of Menthol" website. R.J. Reynolds can still use some hip-hop marketing under the settlement. It can still, e.g., host DJ contests, but it must hold them in adult-only activities and cannot broadcast them. Reynolds signed the settlement without admitting wrongdoing. (Let's hope the money is used for its attended purpose - GHS) Kwesi Ronald Harris, Director of Prevention Programs at Bobby E. Wright Behavorial Health Center will receive a portion of this money to fund youth prevention programs. (Chicago Business, October 6, 2004; Chicago Sun-Times, Eric Herman, Staff Reporter, October 7,2004) See our related web page: http://goodhealth.freeservers.com/Brown&Williamson_Kool.html SEPTEMBER 27, 2004 - Canada (10 provinces and 3 territories) - On October 1, 2004 the entire provinces of New Brunswick and Manitoba will go public places smokefree, with the provinces of Sasketchewan going public places smokefree on January 1, 2005. The territories of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories went smokefree on May 1, 2004. Many Canadian cities in other provinces have also enacted smokefree workplace laws but not the entire provinces. (Joe Cherner, joe@smokefree.org) AUGUST 19, 2004 - Bhutan, a country nestled in the eastern Himalayas, has banned the sale of all tobacco products. The sale of tobacco is now officially banned throughout Bhutan according to a decision taken by the 82nd session of the National Assembly on August 12th. This is the 1st country to ban all tobacco products - confirmed by Joe Cherner joe@smokefree.org. (Newsletter 23 Tobacco Journal International) AUGUST 9, 2004 - Lorillard (Newport) if worried about the new Reynolds American - twin menthol brands (Salem, Kool)they aren't showing it. Bonnie Herzog, analyst with Citigroup Smith Barney, believes Reynolds American will contribute to a more competitive menthol cigarette market. According to a Smith Barney analysis: Lorillard remains the most profitable in the cigarette industry on a "per stick" basis but less so by about 28% compared with two years ago. Uncertainty remains about Reynolds' menthol plans for the 2-menthol brands that are now in their portfolio. (The Business Journal Serving the Greater Triad Area http://www.bizjournal.com/triad/2004/08/09/story4.html - Doug Campbell) AUGUST 2, 2004 - Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) - what will happen - Salem and Kool compete in the same menthol market. RAI's President and Chief Executive Officer, Susan Ivey (came from the Brown and Williamson side) said the two companies will leave the current brand promotions (Salem - "Stir the Senses" and Kool - "Smooth Fusion")in place through the end of 2004, while working to have a new strategy in place at the start of the year. (R.J. Reynolds' profits up in restructuring No. 2 cigarette maker doubles earnings from year-ago period The Associated Press) With a growing menthol cigarette market RAI would hate to get rid of either mentholated cigarette - GHS. JULY 29, 2004 - RJ Reynolds Holding Inc. shareholders (on Wednesday, 7/28) overwhelmingly approved the company's $4.2 billion dollar stock purchase of Brown and Williamson. The new company Reynolds American Inc.(RAI) will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday (August 2). (Knight Ridder /Tribune Business News). (What will happen with the competing menthol brands, Salem and Kool?? - GHS.) JULY 25, 2004 - Foes (about 100) of cigarette pitch protest outside Kool MIXX DJ event at the Vic Theatre in Chicago. Hip-hop pioneering DJ Afrika Bambaataa joined the African American Tobacco Prevention Network protest. Although this is the 6th year for the Kool DJ contest, it is the 1st year Kool cigarettes came out with a package featuring images of brown-skinned people. Brown and Williamson conceded that the special edition boxes of Kool were a mistake and discontinued them. (Chicago Sun Times, suntimes.com, Chery V. Jackson, staff reporter) JULY 25, 2004 - Critics say cigarettes still aimed at teens - just more slyly now. Salem's (RJ Reynolds) "stir the senses" ad campaign and Kool's (Brown and Williamson) "Smooth Fusion" campaign ads cigarete makers claim only appear in publications whre 80% of the readers are 18 or over. Health groups say that the ads target teens and minorities. Tobacco companies abandonment of the youth market are undermined by Kool when Kool releases a line of cigarettes with flavors like Midnight Berry and Carribean Chill (also Mocha Taboo - Kool has 16-styles (GHS). Again, tobacco makers claim those flavors are aimed at adult who like flavors. Their research tells them that adults have gone to flavors as part of a market trend, e.g., you have lemon and cherry vodka. (EastValleyTribune.com, mgrady@aztrib.com) JULY 24, 2004 - Finals of the national Kool MIXX turntablist competition. Top 4-finishers from the July 23rd semifinal (see below) compete for $10,000 1st prize. Kanye West and Slick Rock perform following the competition. To be held at the Vic Theatre in Chicago. (NewCity Chicago) JULY 23, 2004 - Semifinals of the Kool MIXX national turntablist competition, featuring champions from preliminary battles in 12 cities. To be held at Subterranean in Chicago-Bucktown. (NewCity Chicago) The 2004 Kool MIXX competition also include MC competitions where poets in hip-hop rap about history, culture and politics to a rhythm and beat. (Brown and Williamson press release) JULY 22, 2004 - The attorney general (Lisa Madigan) of Illinois on Wednesday (July 21, 2004) sued Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corp. over a campaign that she asserts target children and violates the Master Tobacco Settlement between states and cigarette companies. The attorney general said she would seek a ban on the campaign's hip-hop products that are part of its 'Kool MIXX 2004' advertising and promotional campaign. See related story JUNE 17, 2004 below. (Tobacco Journal International Newsletter, July 22, 2004) JULY 19, 2004 - Newport news provides the best read for Carolina Group's Lorillard Tobacco, the #4 cigarette maker in the U.S.. Lorillard accounts for about 21% of parent company Loews' sales. Newport, Lorillard's top brand, is the #2 cigarette brand in the U.S. and the top menthol brand. It brings in 90% of Lorillard's sales volume; other brands include Kent, Max, Old Gold, Satin and True. Maverick is the company's discount brand which is designed to fend off low-cost competitors. Lowes established the Carolina Group (Greensboro, NC) as a tracking stock for its tobacco holdings and owns 67% of the shares. (hoovers.com) JULY 17, 2004 - The Menthol category accounted For 27% of the U.S. cigarette shipments in 2003 according to Loews Corp. Lorillard Tobacco Co..(Chris Burritt, Bloomberg News) JULY 17, 2004 - Shorter Version (72-millimeter) of Marlboro Menthol Introduced in February. The shorter version appeals to consumers who want a quick smoke outdoors because of bans in offices and restaurants. The introduction helped to increase sales of the world's best selling brand (Marlboro) and boosting profits for a 3rd straight quarter. Philip Morris has about 12% of menthol cigarette sales. (This new cigarette is 2.8 inches long compared with a regular sized Marlboro at 84mm or 3.3 inches.)(Chris Burritt, Bloomberg News - cburritt@bloomberg.net) JUNE 22, 2004 - FTC commissioners are scheduled to meet today to consider R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc.'s $2.5 billion acquisition of Brown & Williamson Co.. If approved the FTC likely will require the merged companies to sell some brands. Some analysts have speculated that the companies'twin menthol brands Salem and Kool may be targets for selling to a third party. (Business First, Louisville) JUNE 23, 2004 - FTC commissioners in their 4 - 0 vote clears the way for the buyout of Brown & Williamson by R.J. Reynolds June 22, 2004 - June 22, 2004 - June 22, 2004 - Holdings Inc. concluding the transaction is "unlikely to harm consumers." R.J. Reynolds expects to complete the acquisition by the end of July. The new company Reynolds American Inc. may sell competing brands after the acquisition is completed.Examples of competing brands include the menthols, RJR"s Salem and B&W's Kool and B&W's GPC discount brand and RJR's Doral brand. Together with Philip Morris, Reynolds America Inc. will control somewhat below 90% of U.S. sales. (Bloomberg.com) JUNE 17, 2004 - Brown & Williamson's hip-hop theme-promotional campaign for its Kool brands violates the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement. Violations include the prohibition against: ciagette marketing that targets youth (in this case especially African American youths), use of brand name merchandise (in this case, e.g., MIXX CD-roms, bags, radios), and payments to place tobacco products in media. The NY Supreme Court decision limits the Kool MAXX campaign including the removing of Kool MIXX packs featuring deejays and party scenes. B&W has been conducting the Kool MIXX competition for six years but this is the 1st year for the Kool MIXX packs and some other promotions. (www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/Kool/Kool_mixx_court.html)

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As parts of this working paper become available they will be released for review for those interested in this research..

Lloyd "Spud" Hughes from Mingo Junction, OH built the House of Menthol - NOT KOOL... Origination of Menthol Cigarettes..
Information on the Chemistry and Many Uses of Menthol... Menthol - Chemistry and Many Uses..
How Menthol Stimulates Cold Receptors Producing the Cool Sensation... Menthol - Cold Receptors..
Based on looking at the pharmacologic actions of menthol it seems these actions would masked the pre-clinical signs of lung cancer.. Menthol Actions Masking Symptoms..
A Possible Mechanism to Help Explain the Effects of Menthol on Tobacco Smoking... Menthol and Tobacco Smoking..
Menthol - How Applied to Tobacco, Amount Added to Tobacco, Cool Sensation Concentration Dependent, Nicotine IMPACT and A Few Other Menthols.. What Every Person Should Know??
Some of Menthol's Actions with emphasis on the respiratory tract.. Menthol Actions
Menthol Toxicology - Generally Recognized As Safe.. Menthol Toxicology
A look at the Nicotine and Tar content of menthol cigarettes compared to non-mentholated cigarettes.. Nicotine and Tar Content..
It seems based on the parts of tobacco documents below that the tobacco companies knew how to alter the "impact" of nicotine by altering the amount of menthol in the cigarette. Parts of Tobacco Documents..

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Copyright Notice: The content of this website may not be copied or used in any manner without the permission of the authors.