ASAM Joins Coalition for Tobacco-Free Kids’ Comment Letter Supporting FDA’s Proposed Rules
On August 2, 2022, ASAM joined over 100 organizations, as part of the Coalition for Tobacco-Free Kids, in sending a comment letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), supporting its proposed actions to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and to prohibit characterizing flavors in cigars. If finalized, these rules will have a substantial impact in preventing tobacco-related mortality, avoiding suffering from tobacco addiction and disease, and reducing persistent and tragic health disparities in the U.S. The comments address exaggerated narratives about potential unintended effects of creating an uncontrolled illicit market for menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars—maintaining that the public health benefits of these proposed rules will outweigh any such alleged harms.