White House Concludes Regulatory Review of Menthol Ban
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concluded its regulatory review of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that would ban menthol and other characterizing flavors in cigarettes and cigars. A detailed proposal for phasing out the flavors is expected to be published by the FDA by week’s end.
The FDA is granted authority under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (TCA) to issue product standards that could end the manufacture and sale of flavored tobacco products. Last year, the FDA published RIN 0910-AI60, a rule to prohibit tobacco manufacturers and retailers from making and selling cigarettes containing menthol, and RIN 0910-AI28, a rule to ban all characterizing flavors in cigars.
On Friday, the AGD joined Tobacco Free Kids and other health, medical, education, and community organizations in a letter to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf expressing support for the bans and urging the agency to move quickly to finalize the rules.
Impact on General Dentistry: Removing flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes from the market is another critical effort to reduce tobacco usage in vulnerable populations. The link between tobacco use and adverse oral health conditions is well-founded. Implementing policies that reduce smoking is a sound practice for improving oral and systemic health.
The FDA is granted authority under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (TCA) to issue product standards that could end the manufacture and sale of flavored tobacco products. Last year, the FDA published RIN 0910-AI60, a rule to prohibit tobacco manufacturers and retailers from making and selling cigarettes containing menthol, and RIN 0910-AI28, a rule to ban all characterizing flavors in cigars.
On Friday, the AGD joined Tobacco Free Kids and other health, medical, education, and community organizations in a letter to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf expressing support for the bans and urging the agency to move quickly to finalize the rules.
Impact on General Dentistry: Removing flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes from the market is another critical effort to reduce tobacco usage in vulnerable populations. The link between tobacco use and adverse oral health conditions is well-founded. Implementing policies that reduce smoking is a sound practice for improving oral and systemic health.