Dr. Ben Carson Criticizes Biden's Delayed Menthol Cigarette Ban

Industry Insight by 2FIRSTS.ai

Dec.15.2023

Dr. Ben Carson Criticizes Biden's Delayed Menthol Cigarette Ban

Former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson, accuses the Biden administration of delaying the menthol cigarette ban to appease Black voters, according to Newsmax.

According to a report by Newsmax this Thursday, former US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson, stated that the Biden administration's decision to delay its ban on menthol cigarettes is an attempt to appease African American voters.

The former Minister of Housing and Urban Development delved into the recent decision by White House officials to delay the comprehensive plan by the US health regulatory agency to ban menthol cigarettes during an episode of the "National Report" program.

Carson was questioned about whether this administrative decision met the satisfaction of the civil rights organizations opposing the smoking ban, as they argued that the ban unfairly targeted black communities.

It's hard to find a valid public health reason to delay such a ban," Carson told the host. "When you consider that 85% of black adult smokers are menthol smokers, this is a significant figure.

He added, "The National Institutes of Health (NIH) predicts that if the (menthol cigarettes) ban continues to be implemented, it will save the lives of one million people.

Therefore, he stated that the Biden administration does not have any other convincing reasons for not implementing this ban.

References:

[1] Ben Carson to Newsmax: Menthol Ban Delay Aimed at Black Voters

Also Read:

[1] USHBC Applauds Biden Administration's Suspension of Menthol Cigarette Ban

[2] Potential Delay of US Menthol Cigarette Ban to 2024

[3] Reconsideration of Ban on Menthol Cigarettes Sparks Debate

[4] Impact of Menthol Cigarettes on African American Smokers

#North America #United States #Traditional tobacco #Legislation #Menthol cigarettes

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

U.S. Virginia’s “Operation Magic Dragon” Targets 172 Vape Shops

Virginia State Police (VSP) launched “Operation Magic Dragon,” identifying 172 businesses allegedly selling marijuana and related products via vape shops. The multi-month probe uncovered cocaine, methamphetamine, psilocybin and illegal firearms. Western VA seizures included 128.9 kg marijuana and 4.3 kg THC vapes; two Roanoke County raids hit a retail site and a freight distributor. Governor Glenn Youngkin vowed decisive enforcement.

Oct.31 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Kazakhstan Denies Rumors of Easing Hookah and Vape Restrictions: Deputy Interior Minister Reaffirms “Zero Tolerance” for Vapes

Kazakhstan’s Deputy Interior Minister Sanzhar Adilov (Санжар Адилов) addressed social media rumors that the government may ease restrictions on hookahs and vapes. He confirmed that hookah regulations are under interagency review, but the strict ban on vapes remains unchanged and has recently been reinforced with criminal liability.

Nov.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai

South Korea Again Delays Tobacco Business Act Amendment on Synthetic Nicotine

South Korea’s amendment to the Tobacco Business Act, which would classify synthetic nicotine vapes and vape liquids as “tobacco” for regulatory and taxation purposes, has been delayed once again. Despite the government stressing its urgency due to youth access and risks of illicit drug mixing, both ruling and opposition parties at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting agreed that the bill requires further discussion.

Nov.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Product | 2× “2+10” configuration, rated 36,000 puffs — VOZOL launches NEON PLUG MAX

VOZOL has listed a new product, NEON PLUG MAX, on its official website, featuring dual 2 ml prefilled pods and dual 10 ml refill bottles (24 ml total), a claimed maximum of 36,000 puffs, and two-flavour switching. The device was previously shown at InterTabac 2025 and was listed by the UK MHRA in March 2025; however, as of publication it was not yet available on overseas retail sites.