Biden’s Administration Plans ‘to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars’ to ‘address health disparities experienced by communities of color, low-income populations, and LGBTQ+ individuals…’

…civil rights groups are objecting claiming that the move could disproportionately harm minority communities.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other civil rights groups warned that the ban could lead to over-policing and further racial discrimination against black people. The insinuation is that police could target black smokers after the ban is put in place.

Biden admin’s move to ban menthol cigarettes to protect minorities slammed for discriminating against blacks

April 30, 2021 | Terresa Monroe-Hamilton

As the Biden administration and the FDA move to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars in the United States, civil rights groups are objecting claiming that the move could disproportionately harm minority communities.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says the administration is aware of the warnings and takes them seriously. The products are especially popular among black smokers.

The announcement came Thursday that the FDA is working to ban menthol cigarettes by classifying them as a flavor, which has already been banned in cigarettes. The classification would also apply to flavored cigars.

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