FDA TPSAC - Menthol Draft Report - two draft chapters released..

March 2, 2011 - "The FDA-led investigation into menthol in US cigarettes continues, with the full report due by 23 March 2011.

Directly related:
FDA TPSAC - Draft Report - Menthol May NOT Raise Smoker's Risk..

Two further draft chapters of the report were released last night.

CHAPTER 3: THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MENTHOL CIGARETTES

CHAPTER 6: EFFECTS OF MENTHOL ON THE DISEASE RISKS OF SMOKING

It remains our view that menthol will not be banned from US cigarettes but we continue to believe that there remains headline risk around the (non-binding) report to the FDA to be published by TPSAC (Tobacco products scientific advisory committee).

Reference: J.P. Morgan Overweight On Altria (MO) by Roger Nachman, Benzinga Staff Write 3/1/201.