FDA Proposes Ban on Menthol Cigarettes

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In a 1milestone 2decision, the FDA moves to make menthol 3a thing of the past.

¡°It has the 4potential, literally, to save tens of thousands of lives each year.¡±

More than 18 million people smoke menthols in the US. That¡¯s about 36 percent of all smokers, according to the FDA.

¡°It 5disproportionately impacts the African-American population, 6low-income individuals and the 7LGBTQ community precisely because the tobacco industry has targeted these communities.¡±

Matthew Myers -- with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids -- says this proposal would 8eliminate those 9disparities.

¡°It will bring down smoking rates, but most importantly, it will bring down lung cancer and heart disease rates in these communities.¡±

While the CDC says smoking rates are at an 10all-time low in the US, the agency says smoking is still the number one cause of 11preventabledeath, disease and disability killing more than 480,000 Americans every year. In a statement, the NAACP calls the proposal a ¡°huge win for 12equity, 13justice, and public health concerns.¡± An FDA ban on menthol and flavored cigars won¡¯t go into effect right away. The next step will be a 14comment period. Any comments would be reviewed before a rule could be finalized.

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