I have long opposed legislation designed to force consumers to make more healthy choices by banning certain products like New York’s unlawful “Big Gulp” law under then Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Now, the Biden Administration is moving forward to ban menthol cigarettes because they are too popular with consumers.
In April 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed rules prohibiting menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is now moving forward to “help prevent children from becoming the next generation of smokers and help adult smokers quit” and “to advance health equity by significantly reducing tobacco-related health disparities.”
Tobacco remains a lawful product. These measures are not based on a finding that menthol or flavoring increases the carcinogenic risk of smoking. Rather, the fear is that they are too popular and will only serve to increase sales. It is the same premise used to ban advertising at sporting events and calls to put graphic imagery on products.
It is akin to pushing green energy policies by banning a non-electric car model because it is wildly popular. If the Administration wants to seek a ban on tobacco, it should do so. However, consumers should be allowed lifestyle choices, including unhealthy choices from high-fat diets to alcohol abuse.
These paternalistic measures tend to only shift costs and markets. If the consumers want menthol cigarettes, they are likely to turn to the black market with the assistance of criminal gangs smuggling the products over the border. It is a variation of the Coase theorem where an “entitlement” will not necessarily dictate outcomes. It can raise and shift costs. In terms of the outcome, the market often controls: The question is not simply what law favors but what is more valued by the consumers. The Administration can add transactional costs, but it is the market demand that is likely to drive supply. Transactional costs can alter the outcome, but those costs must overwhelm the market demand.
If this proves correct, the move will fuel a criminal black market while reducing tax revenues.
I do not question the danger of these products in reaching younger potential smokers. I also enthusiastically support government educational programs designed to discourage young people from using this addictive product. Smoking carries a terrible price for users and society. However, so long as it is a lawful product, individuals should be allowed to make these decisions over their own health and lifestyle.
1- The flavor thing is the excuse, it’s as if they banned sweet flavored liquors and not whiskey because the flavor is more attractive. “Flavored or not, cigarettes cause cancer, heart disease, lung disease and many other problems” how harmful and addictive is nicotine. (behind it there must be some pressure group to favor another product, such as vipes) why?
The most popular tobacco product among young people is electronic cigarettes (e-cigarette) or vape.
A- in 2018 About 14% of U.S. adults said they were smokers last year — that’s down from 16% the year before and down from about 20% in 2006, according to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
https://baptisthealth.net/baptist-health-news/u-s-smoking-rates-hit-all-time-low-new-cdc-data-says
B- Worldwide, increasing numbers of young people are vaping.[76][77] With access to e-cigarettes, young people’s tobacco use has dropped by about 75%.[78][79][80][81] Most young e-cigarette users have never smoked,[82]. More recent studies show a trend of an increasing proportion of young people who use e-cigarettes. In 2018, 20% of high school students were using e-cigarettes. In 2020 however, this number increased to 50% of high school students reported to have used e-cigarettes.[92] Similarly in Canada there has been a trend showing 29% of young people reporting to have used e-cigarettes in 2017, increasing to 37% in 2018.[93]
E-cigarette use is associated with increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma,[97] chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Nicotine is addictive and harmful to fetuses, children, and young people.[100] In 2019 and 2020, an outbreak of severe vaping lung illness in the US was strongly linked to vitamin E acetate by the CDC. While it is still widely debated which particular component of vape liquid is the cause of illness, vitamin E acetate, specifically, has been identified as a potential culprit in vape-related illnesses.[101] There was likely more than one cause of the outbreak.[102][103] (Wikipedia)
2- On the one hand they want to ban a flavor of cigarette because it is harmful, but on the other hand there are centers where you can get HEROIN for FREE, and they legalize marijuana that is sold to minors and consumed in VIPs????? TOTALLY INCOHERENT
Isn’t there a supreme court case about this topic? Like bev doles seat belt case?
Or maybe uts in foot note. 22 nylon.
Who made xyclone bee? Bayer?? Assssprin. Fuk the nazis. 81e.
My preference would be that Biden ban Fentanyl at the southern border.
Smoking menthol is like inhaling crushed glass. Not a problem with that whole thing disappearing.
As much as I appreciate the good Professor’s opinion and even agree with his logic and belief, I am hard pressed to see this potential as a problem. While I agree the product is legal and should remain so, I do not see the harm in removing a given flavor. The flavor is used to entice new smokers. That is not good.
I certainly understand his issue and I even share it to a point. But these products are flavored to draw in new smokers that happen to be young. I do not see a need to entice a group of people that do not have the life experience to realize the later dangers. If they want to smoke, they still can, just not with a given flavor.
So you want to parent other people too? Who are you or any of us to decide what is best for anyone else? It is nice of you to to offer your incredible insight and service to the whole world. Any football tips for this weekend?
I am hard pressed to see this potential as a problem
Power.
That’s the problem. Who has the power. The scary thing about your cluelessness, is you willingly prostrate yourself before the tryanny of the state. But when enough cede their power to the State, it soon strips ALL the people of their sovereign power. I dont willing ever cede my power.