The Trump administration has officially withdrawn the FDA’s proposal to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars in the United States, according to Reuters. Introduced in April 2022, the proposal sought to address concerns from health advocacy groups, which argued that these products were highly addictive and disproportionately appealing to young people.
A January 21 filing by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, a White House agency, confirmed that the plan had been “withdrawn.” Menthol cigarettes, which comprise one-third of the US tobacco market, have faced criticism for their health impacts, particularly within Black communities.
The FDA had submitted its final version of the regulation to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget in October 2023, awaiting the Biden administration’s approval. However, the White House held meetings with groups opposing the ban, including civil rights advocates, business owners, and law enforcement officials. Despite earlier deadlines in December 2023 and March 2024 to issue a final rule, the administration failed to act.
A ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars could have resulted in significant financial losses for tobacco giants such as Altria and British American Tobacco, costing them billions in annual revenue. Both companies declined to comment on the development, while the FDA noted a “temporary pause in public communications” during its transition to a new leadership team.
