The Liberty Policy Foundation, a newly established conservative nonprofit, is launching a significant campaign against President Biden and key Democrat lawmakers in swing states. The initiative focuses on the Biden administration’s proposed ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, a policy currently under the final stages of review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Foundation aims to highlight what it perceives as inconsistencies in Biden’s policies, particularly the criminalization of tobacco amid other liberal policies like open borders and the decriminalization of heroin injection sites. The campaign will involve distributing mailers in pivotal states, targeting Democrat Senators like Jacky Rosen, Bob Casey, Tammy Baldwin, Jon Tester, and Representative Elissa Slotkin, with an initial investment of a five-figure sum in each state. The effort might extend to digital and TV ads, depending on its progress.
This move comes as various groups intensify efforts to raise public awareness about the FDA’s proposal. The New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketers Association, for instance, has started a campaign against the ban, citing the growth of illegal markets and the potential risks of increased cartel activity.
The campaign’s critics have voiced their concerns. Jorge Colina, a former Miami police chief, warned that the ban could create a lucrative opportunity for organized crime. Additionally, leaders like Rev. Al Sharpton have raised alarms about potential adverse impacts on communities, suggesting the rule could lead to problematic police interactions over menthol cigarettes.
When the FDA proposed the rule in April 2022, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized its benefits for public health, particularly for children and adult smokers. The American Lung Association lauded the proposal, calling it a significant step in the FDA’s history to save lives and address disparities in tobacco use.
Support for the FDA’s proposal also comes from organizations like the NAACP, 100 Black Men of America Inc., the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, all backing the initiative for its potential to improve public health outcomes.