Menthol cigarette more of health risk than regular ones

By Lee Kyung-min

Although overall smoking rate is on decline, that doesn’t hold true for younger generations, according to an FDA official Mitch Zeller, director of the Center for Tobacco Products.

The U.S. FDA said it will toughen up regulations against menthol cigarettes as it’s easier to get addicted and harder to quit than regular ones, according to an FDA official, Wednesday.

“Young people more likely begin their smoking by using menthol cigarettes,” he said.

FDA has long held the position toward regulating menthol. I

n 2011, it released a report of the expected public health benefit of regulating menthol.

Western countries are moving toward the same direction.

Additives such as pigment or flavors are banned in EU countries.

Western media outlets said that the government’s attempt to ramp up the regulation might hit some roadblocks along the way.