Staff Reports
A conservative group is slamming Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) for his support of a proposed menthol cigarette ban, claiming it could harm the economy and disproportionately impact communities of color. The Liberty Policy Foundation recently launched a six-figure ad campaign specifically targeting black voters, small-business owners, and independent voters who are not fans of President Joe Biden.
#EXCLUSIVE — Conservative group launches ad campaign against @SherrodBrown over support for menthol ban https://t.co/WdFJ5Hr2zE https://t.co/WdFJ5Hr2zE
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 20, 2024
The ad, which is live on the new website BrownsBan.com, aims to raise awareness about the potential negative effects of the menthol cigarette ban on Ohioans, particularly small businesses. According to an adviser to the Liberty Policy Foundation, Sen. Brown’s stance on criminalizing tobacco is too extreme, and they plan to make sure people know the devastating impact this ban could have.
In an effort to bolster their messaging ahead of the November election, the conservative nonprofit consulted with both Republican and Democratic strategists to fine-tune their ad campaign. Additionally, they plan to utilize data tracking to ensure their message resonates with voters.
The ad campaign represents the latest move by Republicans to bring attention to the proposed menthol cigarette ban, following similar attacks from Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), and Marco Rubio (R-FL). This opposition to the ban is not limited to Republicans, as a few Democratic lawmakers have also spoken out against the proposed policy as the FDA nears its decision.
As the Biden administration plans to announce its decision on the menthol cigarette ban, concerns have arisen about the potential economic impact and inconsistent enforcement. Opponents argue that such restrictions could harm businesses already struggling with rising costs and inflation, pointing to data showing that cigarette sales contribute significantly to convenience stores’ revenue.
The emerging opposition to the menthol cigarette ban could pose a challenge to Biden’s reelection bid, especially since Hispanic and black voters are essential voting blocs for the Democratic party. Republican political operatives have indicated their intention to use the proposed ban as a campaign issue in the upcoming 2024 elections, intending to draw parallels between the menthol ban and the Biden administration’s stance on marijuana possession.
