FDA moves to ban menthol cigarettes

Abstract

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is going to ban menthol cigarettes within the year. The decision is based on the addictiveness, not of menthol, but of the nicotine. For the same reason, the FDA banned all other flavored cigarettes in 2009. “Banning menthol—the last allowable flavor—in cigarettes and banning all flavors in cigars will help save lives, particularly among those disproportionately affected by these deadly products,” said acting FDA commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D., on April 29. “With these actions, the FDA will help significantly reduce youth initiation, increase the chances of smoking cessation among current smokers, and address health disparities experienced by communities of color, low‐income populations, and LGBTQ+ individuals, all of whom are far more likely to use these tobacco products.” Studies show that menthol increases the appeal of tobacco, especially among young people and Blacks. “For far too long, certain populations, including African Americans, have been targeted, and disproportionately impacted by tobacco use,” said Mitch Zeller, J.D., director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products. “Despite the tremendous progress we've made in getting people to stop smoking over the past 55 years, that progress hasn't been experienced by everyone equally.” H. Westley Clark, M.D., J.D., Dean's Executive Professor at Santa Clara University, told ADAW after the announcement that farmers should be incentivized to grow non‐tobacco products, stores incentivized to sell other products, and nicotine replacement and other therapies be made available. Taxation helps as well, as does limited access to the product, he said. The FDA said it will work with partners in other federal agencies to make sure the support is there for those who are trying to quit.