The Food and Drug Administration is facing an important deadline, the first of its kind

under President Biden.

The agency has until April 29th to decide on whether or not to ban menthol cigarettes.

For many years, the FDA has considered a crackdown on these Mindy Flavor tobacco products.

It's the most popular cigarette flavoring by far.

It's a venthol. It masks the taste of tobacco, providing what camels calls a cool burst.

Doctors and public health experts have warned that the products make it easier to start smoking,

harder to quit, and disproportionately harm African Americans.

And yet, the FDA hasn't, up to this point, moved forward with a menthol cigarette ban

for a few different reasons.

They've faced opposition from the tobacco industry for one, but they've also faced opposition

from Republicans, Democrats, and some civil rights groups who worry that banning menthol

could lead to police crackdowns targeting black Americans for selling illegal cigarettes.

Tobacco has been a common theme in recent conflicts between African Americans and the

police that have led to the deaths of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, and George

Floyd.

In recent days, though, pressure has ramped up from other civil rights organizations and

African American health groups to ban menthol cigarettes, accusing the tobacco industry

of targeting black communities for decades.

The White House is weighing next steps, and according to Washington Post reporting, President

Biden is almost certain to be involved in the decision.

The public health arguments are straightforward, but the political considerations are more

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