The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is grappling with yet another missed deadline concerning the final ruling on the ban of menthol-flavored cigarettes in the United States, leaving White House officials in a cloud of uncertainty.
Revered for their ability to entice young smokers and their detrimental health effects, menthol cigarettes account for one-third of the tobacco industry’s market share in the United States.
Particularly concerning are the grave health implications of menthol cigarettes in Black communities, where they are extensively marketed, drawing sharp critique for posing a significantly higher risk to smokers in these communities.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 81% of Black adults who smoke cigarettes prefer menthol varieties, starkly contrasting with the 34% of white adults who opt for menthol cigarettes.
The FDA initially proposed the ban on menthol cigarettes back in 2022, a move endorsed by numerous health and anti-smoking groups who implored the Biden administration to swiftly enforce the prohibition.
However, to the chagrin of advocates and activists, the administration has yet to release a final rule, missing the most recent deadline set for March 2024.
Expressing discontent over the delay, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the NAACP, staunch supporters of the ban, underscored the potential benefits of eradicating menthol cigarettes, including the reduction of young smokers and the preservation of lives.
Altria Group Inc MO and British American Tobacco Industries BTI find themselves entwined in the saga, as both companies heavily rely on menthol sales, with over 20% of their revenue emanating from menthol products, as per insights from a Morningstar analyst cited by Reuters.
The uncertainty surrounding the menthol ban has led British American Tobacco to devalue some of its U.S. cigarette brands. In response, more than 100 organizations, comprising reputable medical and civil rights entities, have urged President Biden to refrain from any further delays in implementing the ban.
Public health groups have adopted a drastic measure by filing a lawsuit against U.S. regulators due to the failed execution of the menthol ban. They argue that the delays are both inconceivable and unlawful, given the well-established link between menthol cigarettes and millions of premature deaths in the United States, especially within the Black community that has been incessantly preyed upon by aggressive marketing strategies.
Critics contend that the FDA’s inertia regarding menthol aligns with its broader sluggish approach to addressing public health risks illuminated in a recent Bloomberg report.
Price Action: MO shares are down 0.50% at $43.01, and BTI shares are down 0.12% at $30.32 on the last check Tuesday.
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