Why the proposed US ban on menthol cigarettes is controversial

[sarahazhari]

Public health and civil rights groups have lobbied vigorously for the ban, citing the disproportionate harms of menthol cigarettes on black Americans.But critics fear prohibition could give rise to clandestine sales, and more confrontations with law enforcement.The proposed ban would affect more than a third of US cigarette purchases.A final decision though will take months - and possibly years - to implement.Public health and civil rights groups have lobbied vigorously for the ban, citing the disproportionate harms of menthol cigarettes on black Americans.But critics fear prohibition could give rise to clandestine sales, and more confrontations with law enforcement.The proposed ban would affect more than a third of US cigarette purchases.A final decision though will take months - and possibly years - to implement.The FDA's announcement on Thursday marked the agency's deadline to respond to a federal lawsuit from public health groups seeking the ban.

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As proof, they point to the fatal arrest of Eric Garner in 2014, an unarmed black man, by New York City police on suspicion of illegally selling "loosies", or single cigarettes from a pack.That case study helped defeat a menthol ban in New York City in 2019.But the Biden administration has said closing the racial health disparities exposed by the pandemic is a top policy priority.Black lawmakers and health groups largely support the ban as part of that broader goal.