The U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra announced today that there will be a delay in the review of the rules to end the sale of menthol cigarettes. This decision has drawn criticism from various quarters, including the American Lung Association's President and CEO Harold Wimmer.
Wimmer expressed disappointment, stating, “The American Lung Association is deeply dismayed that the White House continues to delay the lifesaving rules to end the sale of menthol cigarettes." He emphasized the importance of taking action promptly, highlighting the impact on public health: "Every day that President Biden fails to finalize these rules, he loses an incredible opportunity to reduce the death and disease associated with tobacco use."
Furthermore, Wimmer raised concerns about the implications of the delay on vulnerable populations, noting, "Ending the sale of menthol cigarettes would have helped eliminate the dramatic health inequities in who uses tobacco products in the United States." He also criticized the extended timeline, stating, "The Biden administration’s decision to delay gives the tobacco industry more time to predatorily target and hook youth as well as members of historically underrepresented communities, including Black individuals to their deadly products."
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Wimmer pointed out, "There is no reason the White House should further delay the opportunity to address the number one cause of death among the Black community in the U.S. and to reduce the number of young people from ever trying tobacco in the first place."
In conclusion, Wimmer reaffirmed the American Lung Association's commitment to advocating for tobacco control policies, stating, "The American Lung Association will not be deterred from our mission: we will continue our work for a tobacco-free future by advocating for this rule to eliminate menthol cigarettes and other proven effective tobacco control policies on the local, state and federal levels."
