# Public Comments on FDA’s Proposed Tobacco Product Standard That Would Prohibit Menthol as a Characterizing Flavor in Cigarettes 

According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 81 percent of Black and 51 percent of Hispanic smokers preferred to menthol flavored cigarettes.

May 4, 2022 • Public Comments 

By [Jeffrey A. Singer](https://www.cato.org/people/jeffrey-singer) 

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To Whom it May Concern:

My name is Jeffrey A. Singer. I am a Senior Fellow in Health Policy Studies at the Cato Institute. I am also a medical doctor specializing in general surgery and have been practicing that specialty in Phoenix, Arizona for over 35 years. The Cato Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, non-profit, tax-exempt educational foundation dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Cato scholars conduct independent research on a wide range of policy issues. To maintain its independence, the Cato Institute accepts no government funding. Cato receives approximately 80 percent of its funding through taxdeductible contributions from individuals. The remainder of its support comes from foundations, corporations, and the sale of books and other publications. The Cato Institute does not take positions on legislation.

I would like to thank the FDA for providing me the opportunity to comment on the proposed tobacco product standard that would prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes. I appreciate this opportunity to provide my perspective, as a health care practitioner and policy analyst.

[![fda-public-comment.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/serial_cover_phone/public/2022-05/fda-public-comment.jpg?itok=tP6gElYZ)](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2022-05/05-04-2022SingerMentholBanComments.pdf) 

### Download This Public Comment

##### Public Comments on FDA’s Proposed Tobacco Product Standard That Would Prohibit Menthol as a Characterizing Flavor in Cigarettes 

[ 

Download PDF 

](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2022-05/05-04-2022SingerMentholBanComments.pdf) 

##### About the Author 

[![jeff-singer-cropped.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2024-05/jeff-singer-cropped.jpg?itok=G_0nEnx7)](/people/jeffrey-singer) 

##### [Jeffrey A. Singer](/people/jeffrey-singer)

Senior Fellow, Cato Institute

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](https://x.com/dr4liberty) [ 

](mailto:jsinger@cato.org) 

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