1,040 Health Professionals Sign Letter in Support of FDA Proposal to End Sale of Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars

Today, the American Lung Association and United States Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) containing signatures of 1,040 health professionals from all 50 states in support of the two proposed rules to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. It was delivered to Robert M. Califf, MD, Commissioner of the FDA and Brian King, PhD, MPH, Director of FDA’s Center of Tobacco Products. 

The letter, which was signed by nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, dentists, public health professionals and other healthcare workers across the country who are dedicated to protecting the lives of Americans, shows strong support for the proposed rules to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars from the medical community. Just some of the notable signers include Robert Golden, MD, Dean of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health; Karen Antman, MD, Dean of the Boston University School of Medicine and Former Deputy Director, NCI; Sten H. Vermund, MD, PhD, Yale School of Public Health; Amber Barnato, MD, MPH, Director of The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice; and Paul Klotman, MD, President & CEO and Executive Dean of the Baylor College of Medicine. 

Read the full letter here.

On April 28, the FDA announced two proposed rules, one to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and one to end the sale of flavored cigars. The public has until August 2, 2022 to submit comments. After the comment period ends, the FDA reviews and responds to each comment and finalizes the rule.