Washington (April 28, 2021) -- Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.)
released the following statement after media reported that
the Biden administration plans to propose a ban on menthol cigarettes.
“For years, the science has been clear that menthol products are
more addictive, harder to quit, and a gateway for young people to begin
smoking. Worse, tobacco companies have long targeted advertising of menthol
products to communities of color who already experience higher rates of asthma
and heart disease. This predatory marketing is a racial justice issue,
plain and simple. I applaud the FDA's decision to heed my calls
and finally ban menthol cigarettes. After years of ignoring the obvious
scientific data, we are finally acting on the side of public health
and putting a stop to these deadly tobacco products."
This month, Senator Markey led 16 Senate colleagues in a
letter
calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to act on a pending
citizens petition requesting a ban on menthol cigarettes and
cigars. In 2018, Senator Markey also
led a
group of Senators in calling on the FDA to ban menthol cigarettes.
