WASHINGTON (AP) — Anti-smoking groups sued the U.S. government Tuesday over a long-awaited ban on menthol cigarettes, which has been idling at the White House for months. The lawsuit is the latest effort to force the government to ban menthols, which are disproportionately used by Black smokers and young people. It comes amid growing concerns from advocates that the federal plan could be derailed by election-year politics. Health officials under President Joe Biden initially targeted last August to publish the rule eliminating the minty flavor. Late last year, White House officials said they would take until March to review the rule. Three nonprofit groups, including Action on Smoking and Health, filed their lawsuit in a federal court in California after the March deadline passed. “Because of defendants’ inaction, tobacco companies have continued to use menthol cigarettes to target youth, women, and the Black community — all to the detriment of public health,” the groups state in their complaint. |
China calls for strengthened flood control in Yangtze, Taihu Lake basinsJudge pushes decision to next week on Alec Baldwin's indictment in fatal 2021 shootingHKSAR gov't welcomes policy of visaWanderlust unleashed after restrictions easedArgentine president begins unusual visit to Spain, snubbing officials and courting the farWanderlust unleashed after restrictions easedNapheesa Collier scores 29 to help the Lynx beat the Storm 102China discloses tasks of ShenzhouNew Delhi heat wave: City records up to 47.1 degrees CelsiusBook of Xi's discourses on Chinese modernization published in Russian