The Food and Drug Administration has received more than 200,000 comments about two proposed rules that would end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, and many people wrote to urge the government to mind its own business.
The FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products reported receiving thousands of comments from individuals, businesses and groups. Many wrote to oppose the ban, including business owners who said it would force them to cut jobs.
Other messages supported the proposed ban and said removing the products will improve health and save lives.
Thousands of letters submitted online came from individuals who smoke menthol cigarettes and say taking them off store shelves is an unfair attack on personal liberty.