Leading national groups voice ‘full support’ for prohibiting menthol cigarettes and all flavored cigars

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 5, 2023 — Weeks after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent rules to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and all flavored cigars to the White House Office of Management and Budget for final review, the American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health, and 79 other national public health groups are voicing their full support for strong final rules.

The groups, which represent patients, health care providers, health systems and advocates nationwide, expressed their support in a full-page Washington Post advertisement on Sunday, Nov. 5.

“The answer is clear,” the ad reads. “Saving lives starts by ending the sale of menthol cigarettes and all flavored cigars. Smoking kills nearly half a million people in the United States each year, and these addictive, deadly products are a big part of the problem. The FDA and White House have our full support to release lifesaving rules prohibiting menthol cigarettes and all flavored cigars.”

“The FDA issued a bold proposal in 2022 to prohibit tobacco companies from selling menthol cigarettes and all flavored cigars,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive of the American Heart Association. “As the White House gives final review to the FDA rules, the American Heart Association and other leading national public health groups are sending a clear message to the administration to issue strong final rules by the end of the year and save lives.”

A study last year by Stanford Research into the Impact of Tobacco Advertising, a research unit of Stanford Medicine, and the American Heart Association showed how the tobacco industry continues its decades-long targeting of Black communities, women and youth with menthol products. Like menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars make it easier to start smoking, increase the number of youth and adults who smoke regularly and make it harder to quit.

Prohibiting the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars would mark a historic turning point in the decades-long battle against tobacco use and the epidemic of tobacco-related disease. The organizations listed below, along with grassroots advocates across the country, are urging the administration to finalize and issue strong regulations without delay.

Signing organizations:

Academy of General Dentistry

Action on Smoking and Health

African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council

Allergy & Asthma Network

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

American Academy of Family Physicians

American Academy of Pediatrics

American Association for Cancer Research

American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research

American Association for Respiratory Care

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

American College Health Association

American College of Cardiology

American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST)

American College of Physicians

American College of Preventive Medicine

American Dental Association

American Heart Association

American Lung Association

American Medical Association

American Medical Women’s Association

American Pharmacists Association

American Public Health Association

American Society of Addiction Medicine

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

American Thoracic Society

Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy and Leadership

Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence

Association of Black Cardiologists

Association of Black Women Physicians

Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs

Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

Big Cities Health Coalition

Breathe America

Breathe Southern California

CADCA

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund

CATCH Global Foundation

Catholic Health Association

Center for Black Health & Equity, The

Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS

COPD Foundation

Emphysema Foundation of America

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Inc.

First Focus on Children

For Future Lungs

Healthy Americas Foundation

IntelliQuit

March of Dimes

National Alliance for Hispanic Health

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

National Association of County and City Health Officials

National Association of Hispanic Nurses

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

National Association of School Nurses

National Association of Secondary School Principals

National Association of Social Workers

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

National Hispanic Medical Association

National LGBT Cancer Network

National Network of Public Health Institutes

North American Quitline Consortium

Oncology Nursing Society

Parents Against Vaping e-cigarettes

Prevent Cancer Foundation

Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation/Tobacco 21

Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association

Public Health Law Center

Public Health Solutions

Respiratory Health Association

Save A Girl Save A World

Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, The

Society for Public Health Education

Southern Black Policy and Advocacy Network

Trust for America’s Health

Truth Initiative

University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention

WomenHeart

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:

Arielle Beer: 202-785-7902; arielle.beer@heart.org  

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org