On April 26, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra released a statement delaying the finalization of a ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially proposed a ban on menthol cigarettes on April 28, 2022, in a proposed rule entitled, Tobacco Product Standard for Menthol in Cigarettes. When proposing the rule, FDA asserted it would likely decrease the prevalence of tobacco use by discouraging youth from experimenting with cigarettes and increasing the number of smokers that quit. However, Secretary Becerra’s statement explains that more conversations are needed given the significant attention the proposal garnered, including concerns raised by civil rights and criminal justice organizations. Secretary Becerra did not provide a new timeline for the ban’s implementation. 
 
Secretary Becerra’s statement is available here. The proposed FDA rule is available here. A press release with more information about the proposed rule is available here. 
 
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD strongly supports implementing the ban on menthol cigarettes as the rule would substantially improve public and oral health by reducing youth tobacco use, preventing tobacco-caused disease, and saving lives. Smoking is associated with significant oral health issues and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking doubles the risk for gum disease compared to nonsmokers. AGD will continue monitoring this proposed rule and urging its finalization.