The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has submitted the rules that would ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for final review. This is step 8 of the 9-step rule making process. It is unclear how long these rules will stay at OMB for evaluation before either being ‘cleared’ or ‘sent back for further review’ to the FDA. Given the unclear timeframe, we are requesting immediate action by all CDA members to call on the Administration and Members of Congress and share perspectives on how the ban will impact your businesses.

As responsible distributors of tobacco products, CDA members are encouraged to ask lawmakers and the White House to NOT finalize the rule to ban menthol cigarettes because its’ benefits DO NOT outweigh all of the costs associated. If the ban on menthol proceeds, it will put public health at risk and create an illegal, unregulated, untaxed market for these products. Also, a nationwide ban of menthol cigarettes is estimated to result in $1.9 billion in lost tax revenue within the first year. Please see this CALL TO ACTION on how to engage. CDA participated in a meeting with OMB on Monday, Nov. 13 on this issue.