FDA Proposes Ban on Menthol and all Cigar Flavored Cigarettes

The Food and Drug Administration has proposed a ban on menthol-flavored and all cigar flavors cigars except tobacco flavors, the agency said. The agency said that the proposal could significantly reduce tobacco-related illness and death by "reducing youth experimentation and addiction."

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement, “The proposed rules help prevent children from becoming the next generation of smokers and help adult smokers quit.” He further said that the proposed rules represent an important step to advancing health equity by significantly reducing tobacco related health disparities.

The proposed standards are based on "clear science and evidence" showing the addictiveness and harm of flavored products. This proposal is based on the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which banned cigarette flavors except for tobacco and menthol in 2009. 

Erica Seward, vice president of the national advocacy for the American Lung Association said that the measure was "a big deal" and the rules banning menthol are overdue.

According to the FDA, there were 18.5 million menthol tobacco smokers over the age of 12  and older in the United States in 2019. Menthol tobacco usage was high in the youth.