The Biden Administration has once again delayed the implementation of a plan to ban menthol cigarettes, a decision that has sparked frustration among anti-smoking advocates. The delay, announced by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, comes after the administration stated that more time is needed to consider feedback, including from civil rights groups. The proposed ban, initially announced by the Food and Drug Administration in 2021, aimed to improve the health of those most likely to smoke menthol cigarettes, including kids and Black Americans. According to the FDA, nearly 85% of Black smokers use menthol cigarettes, highlighting the disproportionate impact on the Black community. The delay has raised concerns about the potential effects on Black voters ahead of the November elections.
Health advocates, including the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association, have expressed frustration over the delay, emphasizing the need for decisive action to remove these harmful products from the market. The delay has also drawn criticism from organizations such as Action on Smoking and Health and the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council, who argue that the inaction will lead to unnecessary deaths among Black Americans. The decision to postpone the ban has been seen as a setback in the fight against tobacco-related illnesses and deaths.
The delay in implementing the menthol cigarette ban has been attributed to the administration's consideration of various factors, including feedback from stakeholders and potential impacts on different communities. The White House has faced opposition from the tobacco industry, which stands to lose billions of dollars from the ban. However, the administration's decision has also been viewed as a political calculation, with concerns about the impact on Black voters in an election year. The delay has disappointed public health groups who saw the ban as a crucial step in reducing tobacco-related health disparities and saving lives.
