The idea of banning menthols was first floated in 2017 by former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb. But around 85% of Black smokers prefer menthols, largely due to racially targeted marketing, and this has led to concerns about how enforcement could disproportionately impact Black Americans.
Axios Re:Cap digs into the history of this proposed ban, what enforcement could look like, and when it might go into effect with Gottlieb.