House Republicans are calling on President Biden to withdraw his administration’s proposal to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, saying the regulation would provide a “huge opportunity” to Mexican cartels.
Nine Republican lawmakers in a December 11 letter to the White House noted that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) “has apparently expanded its recent operations to include smuggling and the sale of cigarettes,” potentially “using the proceeds… to finance its fentanyl operation in the United States.”
The group warned Biden that the proposed ban would allow the cartel “and other criminal organizations to expand their smuggling of tobacco products within the borders of the United States, especially considering that the regulated US menthol market is worth approximately $30 billion.” ”.
“Federal regulations, such as the proposed ban on menthol and flavored cigarettes, could provide more financial resources to CJNG and other criminal organizations that would fuel their already brutal war against the United States,” wrote Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV) , who addressed the letter.
“The American people cannot afford for cartels to become more powerful. “We have already lost too much.”
House Republicans are calling on President Biden to withdraw his administration’s proposal to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, saying it would provide a “huge opportunity” to cartels. REUTERS Nine Republican lawmakers, in a December 11 letter to the White House, noted that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) “has apparently expanded its recent operations to include cigarette smuggling.” REUTERS
Border state Representatives Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Brian Babin (R-Texas), August Pfluger (R-Texas), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) and Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) signed the letter. along with Reps. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), and Michael Waltz (R-Fla.).
The lawmakers also noted that Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have written letters to Biden administration officials expressing concerns about the Mexican cartel’s tobacco smuggling.
A Senate GOP campaign manager told the Post that opposition to the menthol ban even has the potential to win votes for Republican candidates.
“Federal regulations, such as the proposed ban on menthol and flavored cigarettes, could provide more financial resources to CJNG and other criminal organizations,” wrote Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV). CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
“Our polls show that with ads, this issue ranges between 1.5% and 2.5% of the vote in favor of Republicans. “I hope Biden immediately implements the ban so that all Senate Democrats will be forced to defend it,” the campaign manager said.
On Dec. 6, the Biden administration delayed issuing its final rule on bans on mint cigarettes and flavored cigars amid backlash from both tobacco industry advocates and community leaders who fear it will increase the risk. of confrontations between the police and black smokers.
The mother of Eric Garner, who died in July 2014 after a New York police officer illegally placed him in a chokehold while trying to arrest the 43-year-old Staten Island resident for selling untaxed cigarettes, asked the majority leader Senate, Chuck Schumer (D-NY) last month to oppose the FDA rule on that basis.
A Senate GOP campaign manager told the Post that opposition to the menthol ban even has the potential to win votes for Republican candidates. AP
“Banning these products risks creating an illicit market, which, in turn, could lead to an increase in negative encounters with police in communities of color,” Gwen Carr told Schumer in a Sept. 9 letter. November obtained exclusively by The Post.
The FDA announced the rule in April 2021 and acknowledged that mint cigarettes are disproportionately popular among Black smokers, citing a study that showed 923,000 smokers, including 230,000 Black Americans, would quit 13 to 17 months after the ban. of menthol.
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra also hailed the proposed rule as “an important step to advance health equity by significantly reducing tobacco-related health disparities.”
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) and other lawmakers also noted that Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have expressed concerns about Mexican cartel tobacco smuggling. Bonnie Cash/UPI/Shutterstock
But David Ozgo, president of the American Cigar Association, said he has informed the Biden administration that the proposal is not supported by the Tobacco Control Act and has “little to no public health benefits, but enormous economic costs.
“In short, the proposed ban is the worst kind of public policy,” Ozgo told The Post, citing a loss of $4 billion in sales and 16,000 jobs in the industry.
In previous comments to The Post, Ozgo added that police departments would not want to investigate or charge a crime without a “victim.”
“These people just finished policing marijuana,” he said. “The last thing police officers want to do is start with tobacco.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn