Authorities preparing for "Ferguson-scale" mostly peaceful protests in vibrant urban centers

(Just made that part up, fam)

Now, the Food and Drug Administration has decided that menthol cigarettes and cigars should not be for anybody in this country, especially young people who like the flavors and think it looks cool.

The regulators are moving to ban both of them, which would remove about a third of the 250 billion cigarettes incinerated in this country each year. The FDA is also moving over the next few months to restrict the availability of the popular flavored e-cigarettes to youths.

It might not surprise you to learn that menthol cigarette makers do not like the idea. “A total ban on menthol cigarettes or flavored cigars would be an extreme measure not supported by the science and evidence,” said one.

A spokesman for Reynolds American Inc., maker of Newport, the top-selling menthol brand, suggested the British-owned company might pursue legal action to stop it. Two years ago menthol cigarette sales represented more than half of Reynolds’ $12.5 billion revenue.

There’s no real rush for the courts. It will take a year or so to draft the regulation. Hey, it’s Washington. And another year to begin enforcement because, Washington again.

https://hotair.com/archives/2018/11/20/fda-drafting-menthol-cigarette-ban/