CHEST Guidelines-The-Politicization-of-a-Menthol-Cigarette-Ban-in-t

The-Politicization-of-a-Menthol-Cigarette-Ban-in-t

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In October 2023, the FDA proposed a rule to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, which was then submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget. This proposal arose from evidence showing that removing menthol cigarettes from the market would benefit public health, aid smoking cessation, deter initiation, and promote health equity. Menthol cigarettes are predominantly used by 81% of Black smokers, as opposed to 34% of White smokers, due to targeted marketing in Black communities.<br /><br />Despite the ban's introduction, its approval has been delayed, leading to legal action by major health organizations against the FDA. This delay, fueled by disinformation campaigns from the tobacco industry, has stalled progress. The industry argues the ban would result in lost revenue, increased illicit trade, and over-policing, particularly affecting Black communities—a stance contradicted by evidence from Canada and England, where illicit trade did not rise post-ban.<br /><br />The politicization of the menthol ban has also been influenced by tobacco industry-funded polls suggesting potential political fallout for supporters, notably in the context of the 2024 presidential election. Despite such claims, broader polls indicate a majority of Americans, including Black individuals, support the ban.<br /><br />The medical and public health workforce now faces a mandate to counter disinformation and support evidence-based policy by fostering informed community engagement. There's a call for deploying empathetic communication, prioritizing partnerships within communities, and collaborating with established organizations focused on tobacco control.<br /><br />A timely implementation of the menthol ban could lead to significant public health improvements, predominantly benefiting Black Americans and youth. The workforce's continued advocacy and resource provision for cessation services in affected communities is crucial to overcoming political resistance and ensuring effective policy enactment.

Keywords

FDA

menthol cigarettes

flavored cigars

public health

smoking cessation

health equity

disinformation

tobacco industry

political resistance

community engagement