Blumenthal Statement on Reports of FDA Ban on Menthol Cigarettes & Flavored Cigars

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) issued the following statement in reaction to reports that the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) will issue a proposed rulemaking to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars:

“Banning menthol cigarettes is a crucial and long-overdue step in breaking Big Tobacco’s death grip on Americans and improving public health. Big Tobacco has shamelessly exploited menthol’s appeal to the youngest of smokers and to communities of color. Removing menthol and other flavored cigars, including the small cigars so popular with young people, from store shelves would make tobacco products less appealing and prevent yet another generation of Americans from becoming tobacco addicts. The FDA should move swiftly to put these bans into action before these damaging and dangerous products destroy even more lives.”

Earlier this month, Blumenthal joined 16 Senators in calling on the FDA to act on a pending citizen petition requesting a ban on menthol cigarettes and cigars.

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