Public health advocates question the delay and civil rights groups are concerned with minority health.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently moved back the implementation date of its most recent proposal to ban menthol cigarettes. The agency has received a significant amount of pressure regarding its implementation.
Secretary Xavier Becerra stated, “This rule has garnered historic attention and the public comment period has yielded an immense amount of feedback, including from various elements of the civil rights and criminal justice movement.”
He added, “It’s clear that there are still more conversations to have, and that will take significantly more time.”
The rule was first proposed by the Food and Drug Administration in 2022, and public health groups were hopeful that a ban would finally be put in place after decades of discussion within the federal government. These groups voiced their disappointment over this latest postponement of the ban. Civil rights groups also say that Black Americans are most impacted by the use of menthol cigarettes.
Opponents of a ban have warned the administration that such a move would create a black market for menthol cigarettes and would unfairly target minority communities.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For discernment for Secretary Becerra as government officials continue to evaluate the potential results of the proposed ban.
- For Commissioner Robert Califf to receive God’s direction as he heads the FDA.
- For Americans to seek the Lord for wisdom regarding their physical health and well-being.
Sources: The Hill, USA Today
