(Photo by Basil MK from Pexels)
Black communities have been targeted by the tobacco industry for decades, according to civil rights organizations and African American health advocates. Because of this, the Biden administration is been asked by multiple groups to ban menthol cigarettes.
the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council, the NAACP and the National Medical Association, among seven other groups, wrote a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra Friday strongly requesting that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) begin its process to ban manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers from producing and selling menthol in cigarettes.
According to these groups, this is an urgent social justice issue that has been long overdue.
“The predatory marketing of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products must be stopped and we should all recognize this as a social justice issue, and one that disproportionately impacts youth and communities of color,” said the letter.
Since 2009, all flavored cigarettes aside from menthol have been banned. Indeed, within the FDA, there are many proponents of prohibiting menthol cigarettes as well as small cigars -- both of which have found popularity among young people.
Since then, the FDA along with its outside experts and consultants have studied menthol. It has concluded that prohibiting this substance would lead to improved public health and ultimately save lives.
While it is said that the implications on public health stemming from a ban would be straightforward, the political considerations are not. Because of this, the White House is still weighing the issue, with President Biden will likely to included in the decision-making process, according to those close to the issue.
Previous administrations, including the Obama administration and the Trump administration, considered a menthol ban, but neither administration took action.
While some civil rights organizations and African American health groups are pushing for the ban, there are many critics -- including some African American leaders. These individuals believe banning products that are mainly used by Black consumers is discriminatory.
Advocates of the ban dismissed this argument, and instead pointed to the concerted effort by the tobacco industry to target African American communities since the 1950s. This included campaigns such as giving away free menthol cigarettes at community gatherings as well as via sponsorship of cultural and educational events within the Black community.
The letter to Becerra noted that the rate of Black smokers using menthol cigarettes is about three times the rate of White smokers.
Seven years ago, a citizen petition was filed with the FDA seeking to ban cigarettes containing menthol. The FDA has committed to responding to this lawsuit by April 29.
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