TABLE 2—
Percentage of Arguments in News and Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee Documents on Banning Menthol: United States, 2008–2011
| Arguments | FSPTCA News (Apr 2008–Jun 2009; n = 142), % | TPSAC News (Jul 2009–Jun 2011; n = 300), % | TPSAC Documents (Jul 2009–Jun 11; n = 235), % |
| Proban | |||
| Ban would improve public health | 21 | 24 | 8 |
| Tobacco industry targets African Americans, youths | 8 | 3 | 11 |
| Menthol cigarettes are uniquely dangerous | 6 | 10 | 14 |
| Menthol cigarettes contribute to health disparities | 3 | 2 | 9 |
| Industry negotiates in bad faith | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Proban total | 39 | 40 | 42 |
| Antiban | |||
| Ban would create a black market | 16 | 22 | 14 |
| Ban would harm industry, government revenue | 6 | 8 | 9 |
| Ban would harm freedom, choice | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Menthol not uniquely dangerous | 5 | 5 | 9 |
| Menthol science is uncertain | 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Antiban total | 35 | 46 | 44 |
| Racial bias | |||
| Proban: policy discriminates against African American smokers | 18 | 4 | 3 |
| Antiban: policy discriminates against African American smokers | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| Proban: menthol usage is high among African American smokers | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| Antiban: menthol usage is high among African American smokers | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Racial bias total | 27 | 14 | 15 |
Note. FSPTCA = Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act; TPSAC = Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee. Columns do not add to 100% because of rounding.