Trump administration reverses FDA's proposed menthol cigarette ban

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As Trump continues to make interesting changes for the presidency, his administration has officially withdrawn a proposal to ban menthol cigarettes in a recent submission from the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. It comes from years of advocacy of a harmful nature. Menthol Products. In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a ban and targeted menthol cigarettes as well as flavored cigars. At the time, health advocacy groups argued that the programs were not only addictive but also attractive to young children. Despite these concerns, Trump's administration chose to abandon the proposed regulations. “It is disappointing that the final rule was not released in a timely manner,” said Yolonda Richardson, CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “It is more important than ever that states and cities step up their efforts to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products.” Last year, the FDA submitted its final rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget, which Make it a provision that the Biden administration is expected to continue signing. However, the administration was struck by the challenge and agreed to meet with various groups opposed to the rule, including civil rights groups, business owners and law enforcement officials. However, the government missed deadlines in December 2023 and March 2024 to make a final decision on the ban. Despite the setback, public health leaders remain focused on their calls for reform. In November 2024, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy emphasized the need to ban menthol cigarettes, citing their role in increased addiction rates and high use among marginalized groups, including “Black Americans, Americans, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, women, and individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

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