FDA Proposes Banning Menthol in Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars, Potentially Saving Lives
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken a significant step towards banning menthol in cigarettes and flavored cigars, a move that public health experts believe could save numerous lives. This proposed rule, which has been a top priority for the FDA, has the potential to significantly reduce disease, deaths, and youth experimentation and addiction related to tobacco products.
After years of discussions, the FDA has sent the proposed rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget for final review, the final regulatory step before it becomes official. According to Erika Sward, the assistant vice president of national advocacy with the American Lung Association, this is a momentous and critical step in the process of banning these harmful products.
The proposed ban on menthol cigarettes is particularly important due to the fact that the menthol flavoring makes them more addictive than regular tobacco-flavored cigarettes. The mask of the harsh taste of tobacco provided by menthol appeals to new smokers, making them more likely to develop a long-term addiction. Furthermore, menthol marketing has targeted minority communities, especially the Black community, with great success. In fact, while 43% of all adult smokers use menthol cigarettes, more than 83% of Black smokers choose menthols compared to only 30% of White smokers.
The elimination of menthol cigarettes could help close the significant health disparities experienced by different racial groups. A study from the Council on Foreign Relations reveals that Black people face higher smoking-related death rates compared to White people, accounting for 41% of smoking-related premature deaths despite making up only 12% of the population. Another study suggests that prohibiting menthol cigarettes could save up to 654,000 lives in the US within 40 years, with 255,000 of those lives belonging to the Black community.
In addition to menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars and cigarillos also attract young smokers, particularly Black and Hispanic children. These flavors make it more likely for users to become regular smokers, and the FDA has already taken steps to regulate the marketing of flavored e-cigarette products. However, the proposed ban on flavored cigars could further reduce youth tobacco use and increase the chances of smokers quitting.
While Massachusetts and California have already implemented bans on menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products, the FDA’s proposed ban would have a nationwide impact. It is worth noting that tobacco companies may attempt to challenge the ban through legal means, as they have done with previous tobacco restrictions. Nevertheless, if the ban stands, it would be a significant blow to the industry, as menthol has been a major tool used to attract and sustain addiction in millions of people.
The FDA’s proposed ban on menthol in cigarettes and flavored cigars has the potential to save lives, especially within minority communities. It is a vital measure that could address health disparities, protect youth from tobacco addiction, and contribute to a significant reduction in smoking-related diseases and deaths.
