FDA Proposes Ban on Menthol Cigarettes

The US Food and Drug Administration publishedproposed rules banning menthol cigarettesand flavored cigars on Thursday.

Once published, the rules will be open to public comment.

Some states and cities have already banned menthol cigarettes.

Menthol cigarettes are big business for the tobacco industry.

In a statement last year, the FDA said that18.6 million peoplein America smoke menthol cigarettes.

There’s a racial divide within that group.

Of Black smokers, 85% smoke menthol cigarettes.

Of white smokers, 30% do, according to the FDA.

Those studies say 324,000 to 654,000 smoking-related deaths would be avoided over the same time period.

The dangers of smoking and risk of addiction are well known.

Experts saysfinding support is one key to quitting.

Read more:New Zealand Plans to Completely Ban Smoking for the Next Generation