Biotech
Monday, April 29th, 2024 2:56 pm EDT
Key Points
- The Biden Administration has postponed the planned ban on menthol cigarettes, initially proposed by the FDA, citing the need for further discussions, as stated by Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
- The FDA had announced its intention to ban menthol tobacco cigarettes in 2021, followed by the proposal of rules for the ban in 2022, aiming to improve public health, particularly among groups most likely to smoke them, including children and Black Americans.
- Concerns have arisen about the potential impact of the proposed ban, compounded by the delay, on Black voters, especially given the proximity to a contentious presidential election. Additionally, frustration has been expressed by anti-smoking and health advocates, who argue that the administration’s inaction enables the tobacco industry to continue marketing these harmful products, perpetuating addiction and health risks.
The Biden Administration has decided to postpone the planned ban on menthol cigarettes, a move initially proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) several years ago. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra stated that further discussions are necessary, indicating that the process will require more time. The FDA initially announced its intention to ban menthol tobacco cigarettes in 2021, followed by the proposal of rules for the ban in 2022, with the aim of improving public health, especially among groups disproportionately affected by smoking, such as children and Black Americans. Notably, nearly 85% of Black smokers use menthol cigarettes, compared to only 30% of white smokers. Given that Black men have the highest lung cancer death rate in the U.S. and are less likely to be diagnosed with the disease at an early stage compared to white Americans, the proposed ban has significant implications for public health equity. However, the decision to delay the ban, which has already been postponed once before, raises concerns about its potential impact on Black voters, particularly in the lead-up to a contentious presidential election. Despite promises of enforcement by the end of the previous year, the White House updated its Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs website, indicating that the final ban would not occur until at least March. The recent delay announcement has sparked frustration among anti-smoking and health advocates, who argue that the administration’s inaction allows the tobacco industry to continue marketing these harmful products and attracting new users, perpetuating addiction and its associated health risks.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/26/biden-administration-delays-plans-to-ban-menthol-cigarettes.html
