FDA Proposes Ban on Menthol Cigarettes
Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signaled that they will move to ban menthol cigarettes. The proposed ban, which has not been officially noticed by the FDA but is expected this week, comes as the agency is taking strong action against flavors in e-cigarettes.
The FDA argues that menthol cigarettes are harder to quit than regular cigarettes, and therefore likely pose a greater health risk. According to press reports, it could take a year or more for a rule banning menthol to be finalized, and then another year for it to be enforceable in the marketplace.