President Trump Makes Big Decision On Menthol Cigarettes

The Trump administration has withdrawn the Biden administration’s proposed rule banning menthol cigarettes.

The Biden administration was previously on track to enact the rule in 2023, but lobbying prevented it from taking effect.

Erika Sward, the assistant vice president of national advocacy for the American Lung Association, stated, “The Lung Association remains deeply disappointed that President Biden did not finalize the menthol cigarette and flavored cigar rules when he could.”

🚨BREAKING: Menthol cigarette ban withdrawn by Trump administration pic.twitter.com/5v5g7fkiYc

— Cigarette Dystopia (@CigsMake) January 24, 2025

Here’s what CNN reported:

The Trump administration has withdrawn the proposed rule that would ban menthol in cigarettes and flavored cigars according to the regulatory docket.

A menthol ban is something that the US Food and Drug Administration under the Biden administration had said was a “top priority.” It sent the final version of its rule banning menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars to the White House for its approval in October of 2023. A ban had been expected that year, but after intense lobbying from various stakeholder groups, the Biden White House never gave the ban the greenlight.

“The Lung Association remains deeply disappointed that President Biden did not finalize the menthol cigarette and flavored cigar rules when he could,” said Erika Sward, the assistant vice president of national advocacy for the American Lung Association.

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In an effort to offer smokers alternatives to cigarettes, the Food and Drug Administration has authorized four menthol e-cigarette products from the company NJOY. Dr. Divay Chandra, a pulmonary critical care specialist with the University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, describes the risks for young people

Yolonda C. Richardson, president and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids also said Friday that she was deeply disappointed that the ban did not happen in a timely manner under the past administration.

🚨BREAKING: President Trump revokes Joe Biden’s menthol cigarettes ban. pic.twitter.com/PBXXfAT2m5

— Bad Hombre (@joma_gc) January 24, 2025

Per Reuters:

The Trump administration has withdrawn a plan to ban menthol cigarettes in the U.S., in a setback to health regulators and activists.

The Food and Drug Administration had in April 2022 proposed to ban the sale of flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes after several health advocacy groups said they were highly addictive, and played a role in luring young people to smoking.

A Jan. 21 filing, opens new tab by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, a White House agency, showed the proposal has been “withdrawn”.