New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing the state to pass legislation making it the third state to ban menthol cigarettes.
This
comes after the Biden administration proposed a federal ban on menthol
cigarettes in 2021. The Food and Drug Administration is working on the
rule-making process of that proposal.
- This
is becoming an important issue for Black smokers in New York, as they
smoke menthol cigarettes at a higher rate than white smokers.
- Aggressive
marketing by tobacco companies has caused Black smokers to consume
menthols, as the cooling sensation on the throat makes them more
addictive.
- Some black officials worry that the ban could
increase the altercations between Black people and police if menthol
cigarette sales went underground and the authorities were to crack down
on sales.
- In 2019, Massachusetts was the first state to pass a ban on menthol cigarettes, and California followed suit in December 2022.
