The FDA’s plan to eliminate menthol cigarettes is supported by a wide range of organizations, scientific experts and elected officials – including members of the Congressional Black Caucus, the NAACP, other Black civil rights and public health organizations, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, state attorneys general, faith leaders and many others.
Supporters include:
View our ad with 22 leading Black organizations: Black doctors, nurses, civil rights groups, faith leaders and many more support eliminating menthol cigarettes (November 2023)
Over 300 Faith Leaders from Across the Country (October 2023)
"Strong FDA action to reduce tobacco use is critical, as tobacco use continues to claim the lives of nearly half a million Americans every year. Doing something is a moral imperative."
32
members of the Congressional Black Caucus (August 2023 letter to FDA)
“While the FDA’s proposed rule to ban menthol-flavored cigarettes is long-overdue, it is a significant
step toward preventing a new generation from becoming tobacco users and saving lives. For too long, tobacco
companies have been enabled to promote menthol cigarettes to the Black community, preying particularly on
Black youth.”
22 U.S. Senators (Jan. 2024 letter to FDA)
“The data uncovered over the last decade is more than clear. Menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars have contributed to a public health crisis, and the administration must center those impacted and finalize these rules immediately.”
The
NAACP
“The failure to prohibit the sale of menthol cigarettes and products would be discriminatory and counter
the goal and function of the FDA to protect and promote public health for all, including the African-American
community.”
Leaders of HBCU Medical Schools
"We write to express our enthusiastic support for the announcement of proposed regulations prohibiting the manufacture and sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. We urge you to move as quickly as possible to finalize and implement these rules which will save Black fives and reduce the health disparities between Black Americans and the population as a whole.
100
Black Men of America, Inc.
(adopted resolution in June 2023)
Other
Black civil rights and public health organizations
(April 2021 letter)
A
coalition of over 100 public health, social justice, medical, parent, community and other organizations
Comments submitted to FDA
23 state and territorial Attorneys General
Comments submitted to FDA
46 scientific experts in the fields of tobacco use and addiction
(December 2020)
Former U.S. Surgeons General and HHS Secretary
>> Op-Ed by Former Surgeons General Regina Benjamin and Jerome Adams
>> Letter to President Biden from Louis W. Sullivan, M.D. and David M. Satcher, M.D., Ph.D.
Youth Serving Organizations
(December 2023)
Organizations Representing the Cancer Community
(December 2023)