The Food and Drug Administration is reportedly planning to propose a ban on menthol cigarettes, a long-sought goal of anti-smoking advocates.
The proposal, set to roll out next week according to the Wall Street Journal, will kick off a series of actions in which the FDA will seek out feedback and hold meetings for a year, and then another year is likely to pass before a ban is set. It comes at the heels of news this week that cigarette smoking has reached an all-time low of 14 percent.
A report from the FDA in 2013 concluded that it was more difficult for smokers to quit menthol cigarettes than other types. Menthol, which tastes like mint, was found to be particularly powerful in getting young people to smoke. Marketing of menthol cigarettes also has targeted African Americans, who are disproportionately affected by smoking-related illnesses.
The latest news comes on the heels of the FDA’s actions on e-cigarettes intended to reduce their use among teens. The agency plans to restrict the sale of certain flavors from being sold in gas stations or convenience stores.
