FDA Proposes Ban On Menthol Cigarettes And Flavored Cigars

The Biden Administration on Thursday announced plans to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, the government's most aggressive action in decades to regulate the sale of tobacco, and one likely to face strong opposition from industry groups.

Robert Califf, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, told a Senate committee on Thursday that the ban would reduce mortality risk for current smokers of menthol cigarettes or flavored cigars by substantially decreasing their consumption and increasing the likelihood of cessation.

The ban is expected to have the largest impact on Black smokers, who are the majority of whom smoke menthol cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The proposal, which could be finalized after 60 days, comes a year after the FDA said it would aim to ban the product within a year.

The mint-flavor cigarettes make up more than a third of all tobacco sales.

Up 654,000. The FDA estimates that up to 238,000 deaths among African Americans would be avoided if the US stopped selling menthol cigarettes.

Key Background

Menthol is a chemical found in mint plants that makes it harder to quit smoking. The FDA has been trying to limit the use of menthol cigarettes for several decades, but has faced strong opposition from the tobacco industry and some members of Congress. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009, signed by Barack Obama, banned candy, fruit and spice flavors in cigarettes to make them less appealing to children, but did not limit menthol. If the FDA could show a ban was beneficial to public health, it would be able to restrict menthol cigarettes. The Obama administration did not ban the sale of menthol cigarettes despite the agency's conclusion that they posed a greater health risk. The FDA said on Thursday that it would target flavors in cigars, such as strawberry, cocoa and grape, which it said make the product easier to use. According to the FDA, more than half a million young people use cigars.

There are legal challenges to the ban. Big Tobacco fought back against previous attempts to stop the sale of menthol cigarettes. The FDA will hear comments from the public for 60 days before making a final rule. There could be court battles that stall its implementation.

The FDA is proposing a ban on flavoured cigars and cigarettes.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Biden administration was going to ban menthol cigarettes.