Credit and equity investments to play amid scrutiny of the menthol category. After taking control of tobacco regulation in 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the use of menthol in cigarettes. Its tobacco panel, the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) is due to report its findings by March 23, 2011, and the FDA will issue a binding ruling after that. We envision three ultimate outcomes: menthol i ... Jump to full article >>

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finally wants to change the way cigarette packs look. It’s not seeking to change the color of the packs or the size and shape of cigarettes. It finally wants to change the content and position of the health warnings. And, it’s about time they did. More than forty years after the first warnings were placed on the side of packs, the first serious changes to the warnings are being proposed by the FDA. In a ... Jump to full article >>

A year after a new law put tobacco regulation in the hands of the Food and Drug Administration, one thing is clear: It will likely be years before any of the most aggressive steps to reduce deaths from smoking might happen. When President Barack Obama signed the bill into law last June, anti-tobacco advocates suggested it could lead to a reduction in nicotine levels, a ban on menthol cigarettes or other aggressive moves. Such moves are still a l ... Jump to full article >>

For weeks, Democratic leaders gritted their teeth whenever Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell airily dismissed suggestions that Republicans would work to slow the health care debate. The Democrats thought they knew better. Under McConnell’s leadership during the 111th Congress, Republicans have attempted to filibuster – block legislation by defeating efforts to cut off debate – more than 30 times. To Democrats, out-strategi ... Jump to full article >>

A top importer of clove-flavored cigars filed suit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in federal court Wednesday to prevent the agency from banning flavored cigars. The suit comes a day after a ban on flavored cigarettes went into effect and after FDA officials warned companies not to try to circumvent the ban by introducing little cigars or other products similar to cigarettes. The lawsuit is the latest among other suits filed by tob ... Jump to full article >>