According to a report by medpagetoday on January 18, in Washington, a group of anti-tobacco supporters held a "menthol funeral" in Lafayette Park opposite the White House on Thursday, demanding that the Biden administration issue a ban on the sale of menthol cigarettes and other mint flavors as soon as possible Final regulations on tobacco products.
The event, organized by the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC), featured a large casket decorated to look like a cigarette box in the procession.
Speakers at the event emphasized the role of menthol cigarettes in the lives of black smokers, 80% of whom smoke menthol cigarettes. John Bowman, executive vice president of the Campaign for a Tobacco-Free America, said the long-awaited regulations have led to the deaths of more than 200,000 people since 2011.
The Biden administration has repeatedly delayed the release of the final regulations, and the latest news is that it will be released in March next year. An FDA spokesman said the agency is committed to publishing tobacco product standards for specific flavors in menthol cigarettes and cigars as soon as possible. A spokesman explained that the regulations were in the final stages and could not be discussed further before release.
The event also discussed the history of black people and tobacco, and countered what some believe is a ban on menthol cigarettes that discriminates against black people. Advocates said the rule would not negatively impact black people, while dismissing the idea that a menthol cigarette ban would lead to more harassment of black smokers. They emphasized that the focus is on saving lives and eliminating the tobacco industry's devastation on all ethnic groups.
