Backers of menthol cigarette ban vow to keep up the fight, but concede it will be a long battle

WASHINGTON — Advocates of a federal ban on menthol cigarettes have spent the better part of the last decade trying everything — from federal lawsuits to holding mock funerals outside the White House — to convince Washington policymakers to remove the minty substance from cigarettes.

Now, it seems, advocates may just have to sit around and wait.

STAT spoke to several of the leading advocacy groups pushing for a federal ban on menthol about what comes next after HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s announcement Friday that regulators will need ���significantly more time” before finalizing the Food and Drug Administration’s 2022 proposal to ban the substance after receiving backlash from certain civil rights and criminal justice reform groups.

STAT+ Exclusive Story

Already have an account? Log in

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+.

Already have an account? Log in

Already have an account? Log in

Individual plans

Group plans

Monthly

$39

Totals $468 per year

$39/month Get Started

Totals $468 per year

Starter

$30

for 3 months, then $39/month

$30 for 3 months Get Started

Then $39/month

Annual

$399

Save 15%

$399/year Get Started

Save 15%

11+ Users

Custom

Savings start at 25%!

Request A Quote Request A Quote

Savings start at 25%!

2-10 Users

$300

Annually per user

$300/year Get Started

$300 Annually per user

View All Plans

Get unlimited access to award-winning journalism and exclusive events.

Subscribe

Log In