Biden Admin Abandons Plan to Ban Menthol Cigarettes after Widespread Backlash

The Biden administration said Friday it will no longer pursue a ban against menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, after it received backlash from groups and individuals across the political spectrum, including activists in law enforcement, drug policy, and criminal-justice reform.

While the FDA had previously touted the ban as having the “potential to significantly reduce disease and death from combusted tobacco product use” by “reducing youth experimentation and addiction and increasing the number of smokers that quit,” opponents warned that the ban would disproportionately impact black Americans, as nearly 85 percent of black smokers consume menthol products, according to the FDA. Just 30 percent of white smokers use menthol products, which account for roughly one-third of all cigarette sales nationwide.

The administration’s announcement on Friday comes after it previously announced a delay of the ban in December in response to pushback from opponents.