According to a report by NBC on December 5th, the expected ban on menthol cigarettes in the United States may be postponed until 2024.
According to two national public health organization officials who are dedicated to banning the said products, the Biden administration may announce a delay in this decision promptly. These officials are concerned that the ban could be postponed until after the November 2024 presidential election.
An official expressed concerns that this could potentially lead to the ban not being implemented before the elections. “In an election year, everything becomes more challenging as people are distracted and resources are limited.
As of now, the White House has not made any comments regarding the potential delay.
Erica Swart, National Advocacy Assistant Vice President of the American Lung Association, has expressed the association’s hopes for the White House to fulfill President Biden’s commitment to ending cancer through the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative. She has pointed out that this goal cannot be achieved until the White House finalizes regulations banning menthol products.
Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, stated that “the government should no longer delay the implementation of these regulations.” She emphasized the scientific evidence behind removing these products from the market and the substantial public opinion from the national public health community.
An FDA spokesperson said that finalizing the ban on menthol remains a top priority. The spokesperson explained, “Such final regulations require a comprehensive rulemaking process, including agency reviews and consideration of public opinions, establishment of the final rule, and subsequent reviews by the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House Office of Management and Budget.
The Management and Budget Office has released its final regulations, which are seen as the last step before the ban is officially confirmed.
An official stated, “People are dying, and this will save lives. We have scientific evidence and data to prove this. It is time to remove these products from the market.
Currently, the Biden administration has been engaging in discussions with the tobacco industry and public health organizations, exploring potential solutions to address this issue.
