Timeline Stories

On December 6, 2023, the Biden administration announced that it delayed its decision over whether it will ban menthol cigarettes and all characterizing flavors in cigars following lobbying from tobacco companies, convenience stores, and other tobacco industry-backed groups.

On May 4, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published in the Federal Register a proposed rule to ban menthol cigarettes and all characterizing flavors in cigars. On November 8, 2022, California voters upheld Senate Bill 793, prohibiting retail sales of most flavored nicotine and commercial tobacco products (including menthol cigarettes, flavored little cigars, […]

On April 29, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it had plans to issue a proposed rule banning menthol cigarettes and all characterizing flavors in cigars within the year. The announcement came after the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC) and other public health organizations sued the U.S. Food and Drug […]

In January 2020, the U.S. Surgeon General released a new report on smoking cessation (Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General). The report updates and expands on the 1990 report (The Health Benefits of Smoking Cessation), outlining latest research on smoking cessation treatments, and serving as a “call-to-action” to ensure that cessation treatments are […]

On December 20, 2019, U.S. Congress raised the federal minimum legal sales age for nicotine and commercial tobacco products from 18 to 21 years (no exemption for military service members). This law, known as Tobacco 21 or T21, became effective immediately and it applies to all retail establishments in all states, District of Columbia, all […]

In May 2018, a systemwide smoke and tobacco-free policy (including e-cigarettes) went into effect on all California Community College (CCC) campuses. In June 2018, San Francisco voters upheld the first comprehensive prohibition on retail sales of flavored nicotine and commercial tobacco products (including menthol) in the city with no exceptions.  

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Rule (RIN 2577-AC97) requiring each Public Housing Authority (PHA) to implement a smoke-free policy that prohibits the use of “prohibited tobacco products” (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, shisha/hookah) in all public housing living units, indoor common areas in public housing, and in PHA administrative office buildings went […]

In May 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration extended its tobacco regulatory authorities to other products, including e-cigarettes, cigars, and hookah. The Deeming Tobacco Products to be Subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the “Deeming Rule”) is meant to be foundational in that it brings these newly deemed tobacco products under […]

In January 2014, a systemwide smoke and tobacco-free policy (including e-cigarettes) went into effect on all University of California (UC) campuses. In September 2014, the CVS corporation discontinued sales of commercial tobacco at all U.S. locations.    

On June 22, 2009, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act was signed into law by President Barak Obama. The Tobacco Control Act gives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration broad authority to regulate the manufacture, marketing, sale, and distribution of commercial tobacco products. The Act did not include menthol in its ban on […]