Cigarettes harm everyone. But some populations have endured more of their negative effects than others.
In the United States, for example, Black Americans have been disproportionately harmed by menthol cigarettes. These cigarettes are just as deadly as their traditional tobacco counterparts, but the addition of menthol gives them a cooling, soothing taste. This masks the harsh sensation of inhaling smoke, making it easier for individuals to become addicted and harder for them to quit.
Historically, cigarette manufacturers aggressively promoted menthol cigarettes to Black Americans via strategic advertising and sponsorships. The specific commercial push to target Black Americans led to a dramatic increase in menthol cigarette use that persists long after those practices have been abandoned. Today, roughly 80% of Black Americans who smoke use menthol cigarettes.
For more than a decade, public health leaders and community advocates in the United States called for a federal ban on menthol cigarettes in response to the health disparities they caused. In fact, research requested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that I co-authored showed that banning these products could save as many as 650,000 deaths by 2060 through greater smoking cessation.
In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration formally proposed a plan to ban menthol cigarettes. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration did not finalize this ban, and in early 2025 the Trump Administration withdrew that proposal. It’s not clear that this area of public health will remain a priority.
There are still more tools available to support people who smoke menthol cigarettes in their journey to quit than ever before. In addition to the existing nicotine replacement therapies and pharmaceutical interventions that can help make quitting smoking easier, the FDA approved the marketing of four menthol e-cigarettes from NJOY late last year. Additionally, it authorized menthol, mint, and spearmint nicotine pouches under the brand name Zyn earlier this year. E-cigarettes and nicotine pouches are not risk-free, but they are significantly less harmful than combustible cigarettes. Though these products are not approved as official smoking cessation tools, they have been shown to help many people quit who would otherwise not have done so. To conclude this Black History month in the U.S., we reiterate that we are deeply concerned with the persistent health inequalities resulting from combustible cigarettes. We stand by our Black community members on their journeys to quit and hope to empower you to quit smoking however you choose.