The proposed rules would prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes, as well as all characterizing flavors in cigars, other than naturally-occurring tobacco.
If enacted, the agency says the rules would “significantly reduce disease and death from combusted tobacco product use,” as well as help deter younger people from experimenting with smoking and ultimately picking up an addiction to nicotine.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.
“The proposed rules would help prevent children from becoming the next generation of smokers and help adult smokers quit,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
“Additionally, the proposed rules represent an important step to advance health equity by significantly reducing tobacco-related health disparities.”
FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf made the remarks during a Senate subcommittee meeting looking at the agency’s 2023 fiscal budget.
“These actions are appropriate for the protection of public health,” he told committee members.
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