FDA ban menthol cigarettes

The FDA has attempted several times to get rid of menthol but faced pushback from Big Tobacco, members of Congress and competing political interests under ...

In recent weeks, dozens of interest groups — for and against the ban — met with Biden administration officials to try and influence the proposed rules, which would wipe out billions in tobacco sales. Industry documents released via litigation show companies viewed menthol cigarettes as a good “starter product” because they were more palatable to teens. Menthol accounts for more than a third of cigarettes sold in the U.S, and the mint flavor is favored by Black smokers and young people. The agency’s proposals on both cigarettes and cigars are only initial drafts and are unlikely to be finalized before next year. Thursday’s proposals would not apply to electronic cigarettes, including leading brands like Juul and Vuse, which come in menthol. Menthol is the only cigarette flavor that was not prohibited under the 2009 law that gave the FDA authority over tobacco products, an exemption negotiated by industry lobbyists.

Public health experts say the proposal could save hundreds of thousands of lives, especially among Black smokers — 85 percent of whom use menthol products.

Carol McGruder, co-founder of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council, said it’s “shameful” that Mr. Sharpton and others take tobacco funding. Last year, the agency said it would pursue the ban again, as well as eliminating flavors in the small, mass-produced cigars that are popular with Black and Latino teenagers. The F.D.A. said it would also convene listening sessions to engage with the public on the proposal in June. Agency advisers in 2011 said removing menthol cigarettes from the marketplace would benefit public health, but stopped short of calling for a ban. That the F.D.A. “fended off inevitable attempts to weaken these proposed rules is quite remarkable,” she said. A spokesman for Altria, which owns Philip Morris USA, which sells about 9 percent of the U.S. menthol cigarettes, warned that banning menthol would push the products into illegal, underground markets with no oversight and unfortunate health consequences. Taking menthol cigarettes off the market is expected to further reduce smoking levels. The proposed ban was announced after a frenzy of lobbying by tobacco and retail interests. “As a result, we do not believe the published science supports regulating menthol cigarettes differently from non-menthol cigarettes.” “After fighting against deadly menthol products for decades, today is a victory for Black America.” Menthol cigarettes make up about one third of the $80 billion U.S. cigarette market, and about 18.5 million Americans smoke them. The ban would most likely have the deepest impact on Black smokers, nearly 85 percent of whom use menthol cigarettes, compared with 29 percent of white smokers, according to a government survey.

The action to ban menthol cigarettes was hailed by leading health and civil rights groups that have complained that the decades-long targeting of Black ...

Dozens of cities also have restricted menthol and other flavors in cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Some states and cities have moved forward to ban menthol and other flavors. The industry also had a tradition of enlisting prominent Black athletes and sponsoring sporting and cultural events to promote its wares, including menthol cigarettes — though those practices are now barred or sharply restricted. The Biden administration, in proposing the menthol ban, is taking on an issue that has fueled strong emotions. It will also hold two “listening sessions” in June. The ban would not affect menthol-flavored e-cigarettes, which the agency still is reviewing. Menthol cigarettes make up about 36 percent of the market — and 50 percent of sales for Reynolds American, which manufactures Newport, the top-selling menthol brand. FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, in remarks to reporters, said a ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars would save lives and reduce health disparities. … Today is a huge win for equity, justice, and public health concerns.” The Reason Foundation is a think tank that advocates on behalf of libertarian principles. Researchers and regulators have found the sharp rise was a result of aggressive marketing in Black communities — especially of menthol cigarettes — by the tobacco industry. In the 1950s, about 10 percent of Black smokers used menthol cigarettes. The FDA will accept public comments for the next few months and then write a final regulation that will include lead time for manufacturers to shutter production.

Effort to 'help prevent children from becoming the next generation of smokers' likely to face stiff opposition from big tobacco.

The FDA said the public can submit their comments on the rule through 5 July from 5 May, and it will decide whether to issue a final ruling after reviewing them. The proposal, which comes a year after the agency announced the plan, still needs to be finalized, and could take years to implement as it is likely to face stiff opposition from big tobacco. “The proposed rules would help prevent children from becoming the next generation of smokers and help adult smokers quit,” said the health and human services secretary, Xavier Becerra.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government on Thursday will lay out its long-awaited plan to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, which have taken a ...

In recent weeks, dozens of interest groups — for and against the ban — met with Biden administration officials to try and influence the proposed rules, which would wipe out billions in tobacco sales. Menthol accounts for more than a third of cigarettes sold in the U.S, and the mint flavor is favored by Black smokers and young people. Industry documents released via litigation show companies viewed menthol cigarettes as a good "starter product" because they were more palatable to teens. The agency's proposals on both cigarettes and cigars are only initial drafts and are unlikely to be finalized before next year. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy. Thursday's proposals would not apply to electronic cigarettes, including leading brands like Juul and Vuse, which come in menthol. "This is the first time there's been support from an administration," said Mitch Zeller, who recently retired after nine years leading FDA's tobacco center. Menthol is the only cigarette flavor that was not prohibited under the 2009 law that gave the FDA authority over tobacco products, an exemption negotiated by industry lobbyists. The U.S. government is set to release its long-awaited plan to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. "We will continue to engage in this long-term regulatory process." FILE - Menthol cigarettes and other tobacco products are displayed at a store in San Francisco on May 17, 2018. On Thursday, April 28, 2022, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf previewed the announcement in congressional testimony, saying the proposal would reduce disease and death among smokers and help many quit.

The FDA will layout its long-awaited plan to ban menthol cigarettes, which have taken a disproportionate toll on Black smokers.

Menthol is the only cigarette flavor that was not prohibited under the 2009 law that gave the FDA authority over tobacco products, an exemption negotiated by industry lobbyists. The agency has been under legal pressure to issue a decision after anti-smoking and civil rights groups sued the FDA for “unreasonably” delaying action on earlier requests to ban menthol. The FDA will also seek to ban menthol and dozens of over sweet and fruity flavors from small cigars, which are increasingly popular with young people, especially Black teens.

The Biden administration's historic US proposal still needs to be finalised, and could take years to implement.

It added that BAT can weather the impact even though over 30 percent of its overall group profit comes from US menthol. The historic proposal from the administration of US President Joe Biden – which comes a year after the agency announced the plan – still needs to be finalised and could take years to implement. The Biden administration’s historic US proposal still needs to be finalised, and could take years to implement.

The FDA has attempted several times to get rid of menthol but faced pushback from Big Tobacco, members of Congress and competing political interests under ...

In recent weeks, dozens of interest groups — for and against the ban — met with Biden administration officials to try and influence the proposed rules, which would wipe out billions in tobacco sales. Industry documents released via litigation show companies viewed menthol cigarettes as a good “starter product” because they were more palatable to teens. Menthol accounts for more than a third of cigarettes sold in the U.S, and the mint flavor is favored by Black smokers and young people. The agency’s proposals on both cigarettes and cigars are only initial drafts and are unlikely to be finalized before next year. Thursday’s proposals would not apply to electronic cigarettes, including leading brands like Juul and Vuse, which come in menthol. Menthol is the only cigarette flavor that was not prohibited under the 2009 law that gave the FDA authority over tobacco products, an exemption negotiated by industry lobbyists.