White House weighs health benefits against political risk
- Biden administration reverses plan to ban menthol cigarettes
- Decision delayed to consult with outside groups
- Menthols account for over a third of all cigarettes sold in the U.S.
- Mostly used by Black and Hispanic smokers
- Some Black community leaders and civil rights groups opposed the ban
- Biden’s allies divided on the issue
- Cigarette companies marketed menthol brands to Black people for decades
- Bans on menthol cigarettes implemented in California, Massachusetts, and EU
The Biden administration has decided to reverse its plan to ban menthol cigarettes, citing the need for more time to consult with outside groups. Menthols, which account for over a third of all cigarettes sold in the U.S., are predominantly used by Black and Hispanic smokers. Some Black community leaders and civil rights groups have opposed the ban, expressing concerns about expanding the illicit market and racial profiling. The debate over the ban has divided Biden’s allies, with some arguing for the health benefits and others highlighting the political risks. Cigarette companies have long marketed menthol brands to Black people, and bans on menthol cigarettes have been implemented in California, Massachusetts, and the EU.
Factuality Level: 7
Factuality Justification: The article provides a detailed overview of the Biden administration’s decision to delay the ban on menthol cigarettes, including the potential public health benefits and political considerations. It includes statistics on menthol cigarette usage among different racial groups and perspectives from various stakeholders. While there is some bias evident in the article, overall, it presents a well-rounded view of the issue.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides a detailed analysis of the Biden administration’s decision to reverse course on banning menthol cigarettes, including the potential public health benefits and political considerations. It includes data on the usage of menthol cigarettes among different racial groups and the arguments for and against the ban. The article also discusses the influence of cigarette companies and the impact of bans in other regions. Overall, the article stays on topic, supports its claims with evidence and provides insights into the complexities of the issue.
Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Rating Justification: The article does not pertain to financial topics and does not describe any extreme events.
Public Companies: Altria Group (MO), Reynolds American (Not available), British American Tobacco (BATS)
Key People: Xavier Becerra (Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), Susan Rice (President’s former top domestic policy adviser), Mitch Zeller (Former director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products), Robin Kelly (Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust)
Reported publicly:
www.wsj.com 
