Tobacco companies helped flood the federal comment process that stalled menthol cigarette ban

Tobacco companies flooded federal comment process that stalled menthol cigarette ban. Among 250,000 unique comments, 96% opposed the menthol ban, and 99% opposed the cigar ban. Leading arguments were economic: loss of revenue and sales. Few unique comments addressed the health evidence.

Tobacco companies helped flood the federal comment process that stalled menthol cigarette ban

When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed banning menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars in 2022, nearly 250,000 public comments flooded in—a record response that led the Biden administration to delay a final decision.

Tobacco Companies Flooded Federal Comment Process That Stalled Menthol Cigarette Ban

Rutgers researchers found that over 90% of nearly 250,000 comments on proposed rules were form letters, and nearly half the letters contained industry content.