MMA Applauds FDA Plan to Ban Menthol Cigarettes, Flavored Cigars

April 28, 2022

The MMA welcomed news announced on April 28 that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) intends to ban menthol cigarettes, as well as flavored cigars, through a proposed rule that is open for public comment for 60 days.  

These actions are aimed at significantly reducing youth initiation, increasing the chances of smoking cessation among current smokers, and addressing health disparities experienced by communities of color, low-income populations, and LGBTQ+ individuals, all of whom are far more likely to use these tobacco products. 

“This is great news,” said MMA President Randy Rice, MD. “The MMA has long championed efforts to reduce access to tobacco. This action will save the lives of thousands of Minnesotans and advance health equity.”  

There is strong evidence that a menthol ban will help people quit. Studies show that menthol increases the appeal of tobacco and facilitates progression to regular smoking, particularly among youth and young adults. Tobacco products with menthol can also be more addictive and harder to quit by enhancing the effects of nicotine. One study suggests that banning menthol cigarettes in the U.S. would lead an additional 923,000 smokers to quit, including 230,000 African Americans in the first 13 to 17 months after a ban goes into effect.