Biden Government Urged to Ban Menthol Cigarettes to Save Lives

According to a report from MedPage Today on January 18th, in Washington, a group of anti-tobacco advocates held a "Mint Funeral" in Lafayette Park across from the White House on Thursday. They demanded that the Biden administration promptly release the final regulations banning the sale of mint-flavored cigarettes and other mint-flavored tobacco products.

The event was organized by the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC), and featured a large coffin decorated to resemble a cigarette pack in the parade procession.

The speakers at the event emphasized the role of menthol cigarettes in the lives of African American smokers, with 80% of African American smokers using menthol cigarettes. John Bowman, the Executive Vice President of the Anti-Smoking Campaign in the United States, stated that the delayed regulations have resulted in over 200,000 deaths since 2011.

The Biden administration has repeatedly delayed the final release date of regulations, but the latest update indicates that they will be published in March next year. A spokesperson from the FDA has expressed the agency's dedication to promptly releasing tobacco product standards concerning specific flavors in menthol cigarettes and cigars. The spokesperson explained that the regulations are now in the final stage and further discussions cannot be held before their release.

The discussion during the event also delved into the history of African Americans and tobacco, while refuting claims that banning menthol cigarettes is discriminatory against black people. Advocates argued that the regulation implementation would not have a negative impact on African Americans, and countered the viewpoint that lifting the ban would result in further harassment of black smokers. They emphasized that the focus is on saving lives and eliminating the harm the tobacco industry has inflicted on various ethnic groups.