The recent announcement from the White House to postpone a new rule by the Food and Drug Administration to remove menthol cigarettes is a significant setback for public health, specifically in Black communities.
Contrary to the scare tactics of Big Tobacco, banning menthol flavoring would save hundreds of thousands of lives, reduce lung cancer disparities between Black Americans and other racial groups, shield our children from a deadly addiction, and correct decades of deliberate injustice.
The delay of this crucial ban prioritizes politics over Black lives, especially given the recent meetings between tobacco industry lobbyists and key policymakers in the Biden administration.
As a minister, it’s a moral obligation to support the swift implementation of this ban. Personally, as a long-time menthol smoker and Black American, I have felt the impact. Black Americans have been unfairly targeted by Big Tobacco’s racist and predatory marketing for far too long.
For decades, the industry has deliberately targeted communities of color with ad campaigns, discounts, promotions, and sponsored events designed to glorify and sell menthol cigarettes. They have also contributed millions to civic organizations to divide us against ourselves.
The impact on Black health has been substantial. Today, 85% of Black smokers use menthol cigarettes, compared to just 10% in the 1950s. Black Americans have a harder time quitting and have higher rates of tobacco-related diseases like cancer, heart disease, and stroke, largely due to menthol.
Overall, tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the Black community, claiming 45,000 Black American lives every year. This is a public health crisis that is preventable.
As a smoker for over 20 years, I understand that these products are highly addictive and difficult to quit. Tobacco addiction has been the most challenging obstacle I’ve faced in my life. This devastation must end now. We cannot allow this industry to profit off Black lives any longer.
Removing menthol cigarettes from store shelves provides a significant opportunity to impact Big Tobacco financially and free future generations from the grip of these highly addictive products.
Big Tobacco is pushing back against the menthol cigarette ban, using fear tactics, including the false narrative that removing menthol cigarettes from the market will increase police brutality for Black Americans. However, the focus should remain on the health impacts of cigarette use and holding police accountable for their illegal abuse.
Law enforcement abuse in our communities is a serious problem, but so is the tobacco industry’s targeting of those same communities. Both issues must be addressed. This isn’t about criminalizing smoking; it’s about protecting our kids, families, neighborhoods, and lives.
The recent delay in the FDA’s final rule is further evidence of Big Tobacco’s influence to undermine important public health policies for their own profit. It’s time to say, “No more.” No more industry lies, deadly marketing, or hooking our children on poisonous products. The Biden administration must quickly reverse course and end its delay on this game-changing menthol ban.
Foy is president and CEO of The Arc of Justice, a national social, economic, and environmental justice advocacy organization.
