The FDA has just announced its proposal to ban menthol cigarettes.
On April 28,2022 the FDA announced its official proposal to ban the distribution, manufacturing and sale of menthol flavored cigarettes' in an attempt to reduce the amount of adult smokers and to stop future generations from smoking. A ban on menthol cigarettes will also improve the health and decrease the mortality rate of current menthol smokers.
The ban would also significantly decrease the now 30% of cancer deaths related to smoking.
“The proposed rules would help prevent children from becoming the next generation of smokers and help adult smokers quit,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Additionally, the proposed rules represent an important step to advance health equity by significantly reducing tobacco-related health disparities.” (FDA, 2022)
When all cigarette smoking is bad, what is it about menthol that makes it so much worse? Menthol flavoring is an additive that provides a minty taste and aroma. It can also reduce the irritation and harshness of smoking. Menthol makes cigarettes easier to use making it a target for youth and young adults.
Menthol also does more than to provide a more tasteful smoking experience. It interacts with nicotine in the brain to enhance the addictive effects, this increases the likely hood that youth and young adults who try using menthol cigarettes are more likely to progress to regular use. Menthol also makes it harder for current smokers to quit.
If you are a menthol or non-menthol smoker who is worried about struggling to quit we can help.
We have smoking cessation protocols that work even if you are not quite ready to quit smoking. Safe, effective homeopathic formulas can be taken daily to change your relationship to smoking. We can sit down and create your "quit plan" that is free of nicotine. We can support your brain chemistry, moods, blood sugar regulation and ultimate detoxification with gentle remedies. Detoxification must be done carefully and slowly so you don't get sick while you are getting better.
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Commissioner, O. of the. (n.d.). FDA proposes rules prohibiting menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars to prevent youth initiation, significantly reduce tobacco-related disease and death. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved April 29, 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-proposes-rules-prohibiting-menthol-cigarettes-and-flavored-cigars-prevent-youth-initiation