Biden administration expected to ban menthol cigarettes

President Biden’s administration is expected to announce this week a ban on the sale of menthol cigarettes in a move that will leave many Americans without their preferred flavor.

The new policy would disproportionately impact black smokers. Menthol cigarettes are used by more than three-fourths of African-Americans who smoke. About a quarter of white smokers prefer menthol rather than unflavored cigarettes.

Anonymous Biden administration officials confirmed the timing of the announcement to the Washington Post.