A new FDA rule will force tobacco companies to disclose any changes they've made to their wicked products in the last four years. Hassle! Interference! Big government out of flavor country! But there is some great news for Newport smokers.

Yesterday we told you about the FDA panel that will soon recommend whether or not to ban menthol cigarettes altogether. Well, yesterday Dr. Gregory Connolly, the "dominant antitobacco voice" on the panel, resigned in disgust. Says the NYT:

David J. Adelman, tobacco industry analyst for Morgan Stanley, said in a note to investors Wednesday that the chances of an F.D.A. ban of menthol were reduced by the resignations of Dr. Connolly and Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, the F.D.A. deputy commissioner.

"Cool." (Get it?)