The menthol cigarette citizen’s petition recalls the lost political tradition of petition democracy, when not only could the complaints of any citizen get a hearing, but that hearing would occur publicly—in Congress.
Menthol in cigarettes has long been a scourge of our nation, particularly in communities of color. Disproportionately marketed to those communities, menthol has addicted millions to cigarettes, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands. Black, Indigenous, Latino, and other minority groups have long pushed for its regulation, even its elimination, but their votes have been insufficient to move the federal government in the face of the tobacco lobby. Last week on April 29, however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced steps to begin banning menthol from cigarettes. This move comes after a surprising source of inspiration and agenda-setting: a citizens’ petition.