John,

As the White House considers the FDA’s final rule prohibiting the sale of menthol cigarettes, we've just released a new poll showing that voters support the rule by a substantial 29-point margin (58% to 29%), and Black voters support it by an even larger 37-point margin (62% to 25%).

Contrary to claims made by the tobacco industry, implementation of the rule would not harm President Biden’s electoral prospects , with no change in the President’s overall standing after voters were asked to assume that the Biden Administration ended the sale of menthol cigarettes.

These poll results again demonstrate that voters, especially Black voters, strongly support eliminating menthol cigarettes. These results also debunk the tobacco industry myth that moving forward will be a political liability.

Under consideration for more than a decade, the menthol rule is supported by overwhelming scientific evidence showing that menthol cigarettes are more addictive, easier for kids to start smoking and harder for smokers to quit. For decades, the tobacco industry has marketed these products to Black communities, causing devastating and disproportionate harm to the health of Black Americans. Research shows that prohibiting menthol cigarettes will save up to 654,000 lives within 40 years, including the lives of 255,000 Black Americans. 

The Biden Administration must listen to the voters and issue a final rule without further delay. With this one step, the Administration can protect our kids from tobacco addiction, advance health equity, help achieve the goals of the President’s Cancer Moonshot, and save countless lives. 

Send a message to the White House today >> 

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