Senate Democrats push ban on menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars

Senate Democrats are pushing for President Joe Biden's administration to immediately ban sales of all menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars via executive order.

“Simply put, delays in finalizing these rules will only bring more addiction and death,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young.

A total of 22 Democrats signed the letter, including leaders Sens. Jeff Merkley (OR), Dick Durbin (IL), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Ed Markey (MA) and Sherrod Brown (OH).

A number of organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and the NAACP also support the ban.

The Biden administration has been working on a ban since 2022, but has met with a number of delays.

The White House is worried that enacting a ban in an election year could cause a backlash from people who suddenly can't get their cigarettes or cigars.