FDA Proposes Rules Prohibiting Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars to Reduce Tobacco-Related Disease and Death
On April 28th, the Food and Drug Administration issued proposed rules to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and to prohibit all characterizing flavors in cigars, following through on its promise of one year ago. As it has in the past, ASAM applauds these meaningful efforts to promote health equity and save more lives. As noted in ASAM’s Public Policy Statement on Advancing Racial Justice in Addiction Medicine, past actions have restricted sales on flavored tobacco products except for those featuring menthol - the flavoring which has been heavily marketed to and most often used by, Black people who smoke. If implemented, the new regulations should significantly diminish the burden of chronic disease and limit the number of lives lost to one of the most hazardous legal products available. Menthol cools and numbs the throat, which reduces the irritation and harshness of smoking, making menthol cigarettes easier to use, and it more difficult for people to quit smoking. Flavored cigars appeal particularly to young people.
The proposed rules are linked below. The FDA has also released this Fact Sheet on the proposed rules.