The USA administration announced this week that it is pushing back the implementation of a menthol cigarette ban until 2024. The ban, which would prohibit the manufacture and sale of menthol-flavored cigarettes, was originally set to go into effect in 2023.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first proposed the ban in April 2021 as part of an effort to improve public health and reduce tobacco-related illnesses and deaths. Menthol cigarettes are considered especially addictive and dangerous, with menthol masking the harshness of tobacco and making it easier for youth to start smoking.
Nearly 18.6 million Americans smoke menthol cigarettes, with higher rates among minorities, youth, and other priority populations like LGBTQ communities. Public health groups lobbied the FDA to enact the ban to help prevent youth from picking up smoking and encourage menthol smokers to quit or switch to less harmful products.
However, the tobacco industry fiercely contested the ban, arguing it would penalize menthol smokers and lead to illegal underground sales. A lawsuit brought by Reynolds American Inc. resulted in a court ruling that forced the FDA to further assess the ban’s public health impact.
Citing the need for additional scientific review, the USA administration decided to delay the ban’s implementation until April 2024. The administration emphasized its ongoing commitment to advancing health equity through tobacco regulation. But anti-smoking advocates criticized the delay, saying lives will continue to be lost due to menthol smoking exposure.
The postponement means menthol cigarettes will remain on the market through at least 2023 while the FDA gathers supplemental information as part of its regulatory process. Once implemented, the ban is expected to significantly curb menthol cigarette use and reduce smoking-attributable deaths.
