FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Doctors for America
PO Box 53313
1921 Florida Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009-9997
March 5, 2024
Doctors for America’s FDA Task Force Urges the Biden Administration to No Longer Delay a Ban on Menthol Cigarettes
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Doctors for America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Task Force is calling on President Biden to protect vulnerable Americans by expeditiously finalizing the proposed rule already approved by the FDA to ban menthol cigarettes. Menthol increases the palatability of smoking, facilitates the adoption of a smoking habit, increases the difficulty of quitting and is marketed especially to youth and members of historically underserved communities.
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 young and vulnerable populations, and exacerbate the already profound health risks associated with smoking.
After numerous scientific studies, in an effort to safeguard public health, the FDA released a proposed rule banning menthol cigarettes in 2022. However, finalization of this rule has been pushed back several times, with each delay putting additional Americans in jeopardy of becoming addicted and at risk of serious illnesses.
Prohibiting menthol cigarettes is a critical step forward in reducing the prevalence of smoking-related diseases and advancing efforts to create a healthier nation. Studies have shown that implementation of this rule would save approximately 654,000 lives over the next 40 years. It is our collective responsibility to prioritize the health and well-being of communities over the commercial interests of the tobacco industry.
The FDA Task Force 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.