Menthol cigarettes pose a tremendous public health threat. A 2013 FDA report on the health impact of menthol cigarettes determined that menthol cigarettes lead to increased smoking initiation among youth and young adults, greater addiction and decreased success in quitting smoking. Further, FDA’s Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee’s (TPSAC)* concluded, “Removal of menthol cigarettes from the marketplace would benefit public health in the United States.” In April 2022, the FDA published a proposed rule to prohibit menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes. Researchers estimate that prohibiting menthol cigarettes would prevent over 650,000 deaths by 2060, including over 255,000 deaths in the Black community (over one-third of deaths averted.
The tobacco corporations are aware that nearly all new tobacco users get hooked when they are young, but they are also aware that tobacco can be unpleasant and undesirable to new smokers. According to internal papers from the tobacco industry, tastes have long been used by tobacco corporations to lessen the harshness of their products and make them more enticing to new users, nearly all of whom are under the age of 18. Flavors make it simpler for new users— mostly children — to explore with the product and eventually develop an addiction by reducing the harshness and easing the irritation brought on by tobacco smoke. First-time smokers will find the properties of menthol especially enticing.
Menthol cigarettes are made of a chemical substance called menthol, which cools and numbs the throat while lessening the harshness of cigarette smoke. Menthol is a substance that cools and numbs the throat, lessening the harshness of cigarette smoke and increasing the appeal of menthol cigarettes to young people who are just starting to use tobacco. TPSAC stated that menthol is more than just a flavoring agent for tobacco. Its pharmacological effects lessen nicotine & irritant effects and the harshness of smoking. Due to their cooling qualities and decreased irritation of the throat, menthol cigarettes were initially promoted by the tobacco industry as safer and healthier cigarettes. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The FDA concluded that it is likely that menthol cigarettes pose a public health risk above that seen with nonmenthol cigarettes. In reality, because menthol cigarettes are less harsh, they are linked to increased initiation and greater addiction.
Furthermore, the Biden administration's indefinite postponement of the menthol cigarette ban has ignited a firestorm of controversy, particularly within anti-smoking circles. This decision, seemingly influenced by political calculations, has triggered apprehensions over potential repercussions from Black voters. Health officials assert the necessity for further dialogue before solidifying the regulation. Widely perceived as a significant setback, this delay underscores the intricate challenges inherent in implementing public health policies amidst the intricate web of political and economic dynamics.
Moreover, the postponement raises questions about the administration's commitment to prioritizing public health over other interests. It highlights the delicate balance between safeguarding public health and navigating political landscapes, especially in an election year. As stakeholders express frustration and disappointment, there is a growing sense of urgency to address the significant health risks associated with menthol cigarettes, particularly within communities disproportionately affected by tobacco-related illnesses. Ultimately, the delay underscores the imperative for policymakers to prioritize evidence-based interventions and prioritize the well-being of all citizens.
sources: Perrone, M. & Miller, Z. (2024) Biden officials indefinitely postpone ban on menthol cigarettes amid election-year pushback. Associated Press Health and Science Department.
Myers, M. (2023) FDA Must Finalize Rules to Prohibit Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars Without Delay – They Will Have a Profound Impact on the Nation’s Health, Especially Among Black Americans. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
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