Trump Administration Withdraws Proposed Ban on Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars, Raising Concerns for Public Health
Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration has withdrawn a proposed ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, a decision that has drawn criticism from public health advocates who argue that the additives contribute to thousands of premature deaths annually.
The draft ban was listed as "withdrawn" in a regulatory docket earlier this week. Shares of cigarette makers surged upon the news, with Altria Group Inc. and British American Tobacco Plc reporting gains in value.
The proposal gained political significance during the 2024 election, as the Biden administration delayed issuing a final rule that would have added menthol to the 2009 ban on other cigarette flavorings. Black Americans, a key voting bloc, disproportionally consume menthol cigarettes compared to other racial and ethnic groups, leading to widespread lobbying efforts against the ban.
The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) proposal intended to improve public health but also faced opposition for potentially limiting consumer choice. Critics condemned the withdrawal as a setback to decades of anti-tobacco efforts and a continuation of a policy that primarily impacts Black smokers.
"Keeping such a deadly product on the market is a big slap in the face," said Phillip Gardiner, co-chair of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council. "This is something we've been fighting for for 15 years. To put it quite bluntly, it's the continuation of a racist policy."
Anti-tobacco groups asserted that the Trump administration's decision contradicts its stated health objectives. "Withdrawing the proposed ban will have truly dire consequences for Americans," said Kelsey Romeo-Stuppy, managing attorney at Action on Smoking and Health. "If the Trump administration wants to make America healthy again, they must ban menthol."
Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the US. According to Romeo-Stuppy, evidence suggests that 1.3 million Americans would quit smoking if a nationwide menthol ban were implemented.
However, supporters of the withdrawal praised the decision as a step away from "overreaching regulations." David Spross, executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, highlighted the significant financial and employment losses for retail stores that would result from a ban.
The FDA declined to comment on the withdrawal, citing restrictions on communicating with the public about health topics during the presidential transition. British American Tobacco and Altria also declined to provide statements.
Despite the federal inaction, more than 380 localities across 13 states and the District of Columbia have passed restrictions on flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes.
"It is more critical than ever that states and cities step up their efforts to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products," said Yolonda Richardson, chief executive officer of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.