Statement by Joseph A. Califano, Jr. CASA* Founder and Chairman and Former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare on the FDA's Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee's Recommendation That Menthol Be Removed From Cigarettes

NEW YORK, March 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "The action of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee may be the most important thing that has happened for the health of African Americans in decades.  It is imperative for the FDA to act swiftly to ban menthol flavoring in cigarettes.  It will not only be a big boost to the health of the African American community but to young Americans who are also exploited by the pushers of menthol cigarettes."

(Logo:  https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100923/CASALOGO)

Joseph A. Califano, Jr. started the nation's first anti-smoking campaign in 1978 when he was Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in the Carter administration.

*The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University is neither affiliated with, nor sponsored by, the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (also known as "CASA”) or any of its member organizations, or any other organizations with the name of "CASA".

SOURCE The National Center on Addiction & Substance Abuse