The proposed ban on menthol cigarettes in the US is facing a significant delay, according to US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. The decision, which had garnered historic attention and public feedback, will take more time to finalize due to the need for further conversations and addressing raised concerns.
Menthol cigarettes have become a pivotal issue for President Joe Biden, especially as he faces an election year with worries about a dropoff in turnout from Black voters. Minority groups, particularly Black individuals, have been aggressively targeted with menthol marketing by tobacco companies, leading to widened health disparities.
The FDA’s proposed rule to ban the manufacturing and sale of menthol cigarettes has faced pushback from civil rights leaders with ties to the tobacco industry, who fear the ban could criminalize menthol smokers and increase deadly police interactions. On the other hand, organizations like the NAACP and the Congressional Black Caucus, along with public health experts, support the ban, citing its potential to save hundreds of thousands of Black lives.
The delay in implementing the ban has sparked outrage among proponents, including the NAACP and the American Lung Association, who argue that inaction is enabling the tobacco industry to continue targeting and addicting new users. Dr. Mignonne Guy, an FDA advisory committee member, criticized the delay as “unconscionable” and driven by politics rather than public health concerns.
With cigarette smoking being the leading cause of preventable death in the US, a menthol ban could save up to 650,000 lives over the next 40 years, with a significant impact on the Black community. The decision on the ban remains pending, with stakeholders on both sides closely watching the developments.