The US surgeon general said on Tuesday that a federal ban on menthol cigarettes It would be one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco-related illness and death among black people — even as the clock ticks on the Biden administration’s ability to do anything about it.
A ban on menthol cigarettes has been promised for a long time years in the makingunlikely to advance before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. The ban was expected by the end of this year.
It’s possible that the Food and Drug Administration may come up with a proposal to reduce smoking addiction. limits the level of nicotine. But menthol cigarettes are likely to remain on the market.
The interim executive vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Dr. “As a public health advocate — and as a black woman and mother — I am heartbroken that this rule failed to cross the finish line,” Avenel Joseph said. health advocacy group.
The FDA announced it would begin the process of banning menthol cigarettes in 2021. Since then, it has done everything within its legal power to move the final rule banning menthol. Since then, it has been up to the Biden administration to move forward. Instead, it was repeatedly delayed.
Public health officials, including Biden’s own surgeon, say the science is clear: Menthol tobacco products need to be taken off the market to save lives.
But politics, not public health, may keep menthol cigarettes on the market after Biden’s term ends. The Congressional Oversight Act plays a key role in the decision-making process.
Any rule passed by the Biden administration in the last few weeks is subject to congressional review. Incoming lawmakers have 60 days to take a close look at any new rule and repeal it if they see fit. (Legislative days include weekdays only and do not take into account the upcoming winter holidays.)
It’s a risk the Biden administration is unwilling to take.
The measure could be repealed almost immediately when the Trump administration takes office in January. In that case, Congress would be prohibited from issuing another, similar rule.
In other words, if it doesn’t happen now, it won’t happen soon, according to experts.
In a new report, the surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy recommended many possible strategies. reduce the widespread health disparities associated with smoking Among black people and other vulnerable groups.
The The vast majority of black smokers use it mentholetcthe flavor creates a cooling sensation that makes it easier to inhale tobacco smoke deeply into the lungs.
This makes it difficult to quit smoking.
“This lowers the black population’s quit success compared to the white population, despite the fact that blacks attempt to quit more often,” Murthy said. “The menthol ban will help address some of these disparities.”
Heart broken.
Avenel Joseph, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
“Few policies could advance the tobacco companies’ insidious, racist playbook more than banning menthol cigarettes, which are responsible for 45,000 black people dying from tobacco-related diseases in the United States each year,” Joseph said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously reported on the tobacco industry’s menthol ads targeting Black communities.
Murthy deflected questions about whether he would implement the ban as one of the last moves by the Biden administration. Spokesmen for both the White House and the FDA said they had no update on the matter.