FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Doctors for America
PO Box: 21161
2300 18th St NW Lbby
Washington, DC 20009-9996
May 1, 2024
Doctors for America’s FDA Task Force Expresses Opposition to Biden Administration’s Delay of Menthol Cigarette Ban
Washington, D.C.: Doctors for America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Task Force is disheartened by President Biden’s decision to once again delay the proposed FDA rule banning menthol cigarettes.
As physicians, we have witnessed first-hand the devastating impact tobacco-related illnesses and deaths have on families and communities. Due to their unique characteristics, menthol-flavored cigarettes increase the addictiveness and appeal of smoking, particularly among vulnerable populations, and exacerbate the already profound health risks associated with smoking.
Since the 1960’s tobacco companies have been targeting Black communities with promotions for menthol cigarettes. In 1964 the Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking found that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer and probably heart disease, and the government had a responsibility to do something about it. After 40 years of controversy, marked by disinformation by tobacco companies, the FDA was empowered to regulate tobacco products, but menthol cigarettes were excluded.
After numerous scientific studies, in an effort to safeguard public health, the FDA released a proposed rule banning menthol cigarettes in 2022. Now this rule has been put on hold by the White House. This delay puts additional Americans, especially Black Americans, in jeopardy of becoming addicted and at risk of serious illnesses. Due to heavy tobacco industry targeting – particularly with menthol cigarettes – Black Americans suffer disproportionate health burdens related to tobacco use. Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the Black community and claims 45,000 Black lives each year. It is our collective responsibility to prioritize the health and well-being of communities over the commercial interests of the tobacco industry.
Last month, Task Force members met with the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to urge the Biden administration to finalize the rule. While we are disappointed in the administration’s decision to once again delay the rule’s finalization, the FDA Task Force will continue to advocate on behalf of patient health and safety by calling on administration officials to take immediate action on this issue.
The DFA FDA Task Force supports the NAACP and urges President Biden to put patients over politics and swiftly finalize the FDA’s proposed rule banning menthol. For press inquiries and to speak more on this issue with members of the Doctors for America FDA Task Force please contact Alli Everton with Continuum Health Group ([email protected]).
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About Doctors for America:
Doctors for America mobilizes doctors and medical students to be leaders in putting patients over politics to improve the health of our patients, communities, and nation. DFA is an organization of over 27,000 physician and medical student advocates in all 50 states, representing all areas of specialization. DFA teaches physicians and medical students advocacy skills and does advocacy at a state and federal level. Our impact areas focus on access to affordable care, community health and prevention, and health justice and equity. DFA focuses solely on what is best for our patients, not on the business side of medicine, and does not accept any funding from pharmaceutical or medical device companies, which uniquely positions DFA as the organization that puts patients over politics and patients over profits. Find out more at doctorsforamerica.org and on Twitter drsforamerica.