Lawsuit seeks to force ban on menthol cigarettes after delays by Biden
WASHINGTON (AP) — Anti-smoking groups sued the U.S. government Tuesday over a long-awaited ban on menthol cigarettes, which has been idling at the White House for months.
The lawsuit is the latest effort to force the government to ban menthols, which are disproportionately used by Black smokers and young people. It comes amid growing concerns from advocates that the federal plan could be derailed by election-year politics.
Health officials under President Joe Biden initially targeted last August to publish the rule eliminating the minty flavor. Late last year, White House officials said they would take until March to review the rule. Three nonprofit groups, including Action on Smoking and Health, filed their lawsuit in a federal court in California after the March deadline passed.
“Because of defendants’ inaction, tobacco companies have continued to use menthol cigarettes to target youth, women, and the Black community — all to the detriment of public health,” the groups state in their complaint.
Related articles
Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. will drive the pace car for the 108th ru2024-05-21- If you had offered David Moyes a draw at kick-off, he would most certainly have taken it. If you had2024-05-21
Neymar jokes about his contribution to Al
Neymar hilariously joked about his contribution to Al-Hilal's Saudi Super Cup triumph. Al-Hilal lift2024-05-21Sarah Everard's killer Wayne Couzens should never have been police officer
Sarah Everard. Photo: AFP PHOTO / METROPOLITAN POLICE2024-05-21Medics remove 150 MAGGOTS from a woman's mouth after dental procedure left her with rotting tissue
A team of shocked medics removed 150 maggots from a woman's mouth that had appeared after a dental p2024-05-21In Pictures: Rare celestial event totally eclipsed by thick cloud in Hong Kong
A rare celestial event occurred in the skies above Hong Kong on Tuesday evening, when a total lunar2024-05-21
atest comment