Congresswoman Barbara Lee Expresses Disappointment in Delay on FDA Menthol Cigarette Ban
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement on the Biden administration’s announcement delaying plans to ban menthol cigarettes, a proposal announced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) years ago.
“I am very disappointed by today’s news. It's past time we ban the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars to fully address the dangers of smoking. The FDA has studied menthol cigarettes for years, and all evidence points to their harmful and highly addictive properties. Furthermore, big tobacco companies have specifically targeted menthol cigarettes at Black youth. We don’t need more discussion—we need a ban.”
Last week, Congresswoman Lee questioned an FDA representative on the timeline for a potential ban. Her full line of questioning can be viewed here.