Opinion

Opinion: FDA Proposes Rules Prohibiting Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars to Prevent Youth Initiation and Significantly Reduce Tobacco-Related Disease and Death

By Patricia Turner
Tobacco Education Coordinator

On April  28, 2022  the Food and Drug Administration  announced proposed product standards to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and to prohibit all characterizing flavors (other than tobacco) in cigars. These actions have the potential to significantly reduce disease and death from combustible tobacco product use, the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., by reducing youth experimentation and addiction, and increasing the number of smokers that quit.

Beginning May 4, 2022, the FDA asked the public to begin providing comments on the proposed rules to ban these products, which the FDA will review as it considers future action. This public comment period closed on August 2, 2022. The FDA was looking for comments that had logic and were supported by studies, data and other information. Once all the comments have been reviewed and considered, the FDA will decide whether to issue final product standards.

Menthol has a minty taste and smell that reduces the irritation and harshness of smoking. This makes menthol cigarettes easier to use, particularly for youth and young adults. Menthol also interacts with nicotine in the brain to increase nicotine’s addictive effects. The combination of menthol’s flavor and interaction with nicotine in the brain increases the likelihood that youth who start using menthol cigarettes will progress to regular use. Menthol also makes it more difficult for people to quit smoking.

In 2019, there were more than 18.5 million current menthol cigarette smokers ages 12 and older in the U.S., with particularly high rates of use by youth, young adults, African Americans, the LGBTQ community and those with behavioral and mental health diagnoses.

Banning flavored cigar products will also reduce youth risk. Characterizing flavors in cigars, such as strawberry, grape, cocoa and fruit punch, increase appeal and make cigars easier to use, particularly among youth and young adults. More than a half million youth in the U.S. use flavored cigars, and in recent years, more young people tried a cigar every day than tried a cigarette.

If these proposed rules are finalized and implemented, FDA enforcement will only address manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, importers and retailers who manufacture, distribute, or sell such products within the U.S. These proposed regulations do not include a prohibition on individual consumer possession or use.

The FDA also recognizes the importance of ensuring broad and equitable access to all the tools and resources that can help smokers quit, especially in underserved communities. Many insurance plans cover tobacco cessation services, like medication and counseling, without any out-of-pocket cost. Smokers interested in quitting today should call our Indiana Quitline at  1-800-QUIT-NOW to learn about the array of cessation services available. For local cessation resources contact Tobacco Free Allen County at 260-373-4276.