Biden-administration likely to announce proposal banning menthol cigarettes

The President Joe Biden-led administration is expected to confirm a proposal on banning menthol cigarettes this week. The administration is also expected to announce proposals to ban menthol and other flavours in cigars, including small cigars which are very popular with young people, The Washington Post reported quoting officials familiar with the developments. 

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A ban on menthol-flavoured cigarettes and cigars has been actively sought by rights and anti-tobacco groups that say that African Americans have been hard hit by the industry’s targeting of Black communities. 

While the effects of the proposals could take years to be realised, the announcement is likely to be hailed as a long-due measure to curb smoking, which remains one of the leading cause of disease and death in the US – particularly among Black people – despite a drop in consumption in recent years. 

Anti-smoking organisations have long called for action on banning menthol cigarettes, which have yeilded few results over the years. A prospect of a proposal coming soon was realised over recent months with Biden‘s promise to reduce health disparities highlighted by the coronavirus pandemic.

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has to meet a Thursday deadline to respond to a 2013 petition seeking a ban on menthol cigarettes. The suit is pending in a Northern California federal district court. 

Although the ban on menthol cigarettes does not require a congressional approval, the FDA has to first confirm proposed rules. 

Another issue the administration is mulling action on is directing tobacco companies to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes to non-addictive levels, although it is not expected to announce measures on that this week.