• The New York Times, Thursday, June 5, 2008 10:30 AM

Seven former federal health secretaries -- from both Democratic and Republican administrations -- faxed a letter to members of Congress Wednesday demanding that menthol-flavored cigarettes be banned just like various other cigarette flavorings in legislation currently being considered by both houses.

The bill's treatment of menthol "caves to the financial interests of tobacco companies and discriminates against African-Americans -- the segment of our population at greatest risk for the killing and crippling smoking-related diseases," the letter from the former secretaries says. "It sends a message that African American youngsters are valued less than white youngsters."

The letter reflects a growing controversy over the bill's current exemption of menthol from a list of banned flavorings -- an exemption that's intended to garner support from Philip Morris. The maker of Marlboro Menthol, the second-leading menthol brand after Lorillard's Newport, PM has endorsed the bill, although most other cigarette companies oppose it.

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