Biden administration postpones ban on menthol
WASHINGTON (AP) — For the second time in recent months, President Joe Biden‘s administration has delayed a sweeping plan to ban menthol cigarettes, a decision that is certain to infuriate anti-smoking advocates but could avoid angering Black voters ahead of November elections.
In a statement Friday, Biden’s top health official gave no timeline for issuing the rule, saying only that the administration would take more time to consider feedback, including from civil rights groups.
“It’s clear that there are still more conversations to have, and that will take significantly more time,” said Health and Human Service Secretary Xavier Becerra, in a statement.
The White House has held dozens of meetings in recent months with groups opposing the ban, including civil rights organizers, law enforcement officials and small business owners.
The announcement is another setback for the health officials at the Food and Drug Administration, who drafted the ban and predicted it would prevent hundreds of thousands of smoking-related deaths over 40 years. The agency has worked toward banning menthol across multiple administrations for more than a decade without ever finalizing a rule.
Related articles
Money isn't enough to smooth the path for Republican candidates hoping to retake the Senate
WASHINGTON (AP) — Frustrated by the seemingly endless cash flowing to Democrats, Republicans aiming2024-05-07Chinese premier chairs meeting to solicit opinions on economic work
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Com2024-05-07China launches nationwide crackdown on trafficking of women, children
China has launched a nationwide crackdown targeting human trafficking crimes involving women and chi2024-05-07China sees steady progress in diagnosis, treatment system: health official
China's primary-level medical institutions, including community health centers and township and2024-05-07GOP secretary of state who spoke out against election denialism wins JFK Profile in Courage Award
Kentucky Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams, who worked to expand early voting in the Blueg2024-05-07China's mega water diversion project benefits over 176 mln people
The eastern and middle routes of China's South-to-North Water Diversion Project have benefited m2024-05-07
atest comment