The tobacco industry is running a full-court press ahead of a federal scientific panel's meeting to discuss how to regulate menthol cigarettes.

The union representing thousands of tobacco workers sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration committee saying that a ban on the minty smokes could lead to lost jobs and black market cigarettes.

Several companies are also urging the panel to take a closer look at the public health effects of menthol cigarettes.

The industry is keeping a close eye on the committee's work and its recommendations for the still-growing part of the shrinking cigarette market. The panel is meeting for the second time Thursday and is to make recommendations by March.

(By MICHAEL FELBERBAUM, AP, 14/07/2010)