Joe Biden Administration Delays Mint Cigarette Ban Indefinitely

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Apr.28.2024
Joe Biden Administration Delays Mint Cigarette Ban Indefinitely
The Biden administration indefinitely postpones the anticipated menthol cigarette ban, angering anti-smoking advocates but potentially avoiding political backlash.

According to the Associated Press on April 27th, the Biden administration has indefinitely postponed the anticipated ban on menthol cigarettes. This decision has angered anti-smoking advocates but may help avoid a political backlash from Black voters in November.

 

In a statement issued on Friday (26th), Biden's top health official did not provide a timeline for the release of the rule, only stating that the government will take more time to consider feedback, including feedback from civil rights organizations.

 

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra stated in a declaration, "Clearly, we still have more conversations to have, which will require more time."

 

In recent months, the White House has held dozens of meetings with groups opposed to the ban, including civil rights organizations, law enforcement officials, and small business owners. Many of these groups have financial ties to tobacco companies.

 

The announcement dealt a blow to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which had drafted the ban and projected that it would prevent tens of thousands of deaths caused by smoking-related diseases over the course of 40 years. The agency has been working to ban menthol cigarettes for many government terms but has not yet finalized the rules.

 

Yolonda Richardson, of the "Smoke-Free Kids Campaign," stated in an email that "this decision prioritizes politics over lives, especially Black lives." She noted that the ban is supported by organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Congressional Black Caucus.

 

Prior to this, the FDA's efforts regarding menthol cigarettes have been hindered by opposition from the tobacco industry or political priorities. As both Biden and former President Donald Trump sought support from African American voters, both the Republican and Democratic parties will carefully examine the potential impact of the ban before the fall elections.

 

The FDA released a draft of the ban in 2022. Officials under the Biden administration had initially planned to finalize the rule in August of last year. By the end of last year, White House officials indicated they would review the measure in March of this year. However, when the deadline passed last month, some anti-smoking groups filed a lawsuit to compel the release of the regulations.

 

FDA spokesperson Jim McKinney stated on Friday (26th) that the agency remains committed to banning menthol cigarettes.

 

We have clearly stated that these product standards have always been a top priority for us.

 

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

Scotland E-Cigarette Market Report (1): Vape sales Drop by 33% Year-on-Year, 2ml Pod Share Rises to 38.4%
Scotland E-Cigarette Market Report (1): Vape sales Drop by 33% Year-on-Year, 2ml Pod Share Rises to 38.4%
Data shows a shift as disposable products decline, with 2ml pods rising to 38.4%. Larger devices and multi-use kits are emerging, driven by promotions. However, illegal disposables persist, and regulatory gaps remain. Talysis reports that the market is transitioning to compliant alternatives.
Aug.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Legal Commentary: FDA Approves JUUL Menthol E-Cigarettes and Releases Key Scientific Evaluation Criteria
Legal Commentary: FDA Approves JUUL Menthol E-Cigarettes and Releases Key Scientific Evaluation Criteria
2Firsts received a legal commentary from lawyer Zheng Mingwei’s team, analyzing the FDA’s approval of JUUL menthol e-cigarettes. The article outlines key scientific data, regulatory standards, and industry implications.
Jul.22
Rethink. Redefine. —— 2Firsts Global NGP Rethink Forum Held in Shenzhen
Rethink. Redefine. —— 2Firsts Global NGP Rethink Forum Held in Shenzhen
On July 25, 2Firsts successfully hosted the Global NGP Rethink Forum in Shenzhen. The event brought together leading experts from China and abroad in the novel tobacco industry for in-depth discussions on key topics including product design and trends, emerging market opportunities, and science-based harm reduction.
Jul.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Company | Imperial Brands CEO: Expects double-digit NGP growth over the next five years; ZONE nicotine pouches reach ~3% share in the U.S.
Company | Imperial Brands CEO: Expects double-digit NGP growth over the next five years; ZONE nicotine pouches reach ~3% share in the U.S.
At the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference, the CEO of Imperial Brands outlined the company’s 2025–2030 strategy and direction for its Next-Generation Products (NGP). He said the NGP business has been “reset,” delivering double-digit growth over the past two years, with the aim of sustaining this pace for the next five years. In response to disposable-vape bans in the UK and France, the company has completed a pivot to rechargeable pod systems, doubling its UK market share and surpassing
Sep.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Imperial Brands Urges UK Government to Strengthen E-Cigarette Sales Guidelines and Promote Refillable Devices
Imperial Brands Urges UK Government to Strengthen E-Cigarette Sales Guidelines and Promote Refillable Devices
Imperial Brands urges the UK to strengthen e-cigarette sales guidance, supporting pod-only sales compatible with reusable devices. The company says this approach, alongside the disposable vape ban, can better reduce e-waste and improve cost-effectiveness.
Jul.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Singapore MOE: 3,100 Students Caught Vaping Annually; Harsher Punishments and Testing to Begin in September
Singapore MOE: 3,100 Students Caught Vaping Annually; Harsher Punishments and Testing to Begin in September
Between 2022 and 2024, Singapore recorded an average of 3,100 student vaping cases each year, including about 800 annually in tertiary institutions, far above the fewer than 50 cases reported before 2020. Since March, ~260 schools have been issued nicotine testing kits, and from September 1, schools will impose stricter disciplinary measures. Concurrently, authorities will intensify enforcement across public spaces, the military and borders, with Kpods (etomidate-containing e-cigs) to be treated
Aug.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai