Jan 24 (Reuters) - The Trump administration has

withdrawn a plan to ban menthol cigarettes in the U.S., in a

setback to health regulators and activists.

The Food and Drug Administration had in April 2022 proposed

to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, but

its implementation was delayed several times by the Biden

administration.

A Jan.21 filing by the Office of Information and Regulatory

Affairs, a White House agency, showed the proposal has been

"withdrawn".

A ban would have likely cost billions of dollars in annual

revenue for cigarette companies such as Altria ( MO ) and

British American Tobacco ( BTI ).

BATS declined to comment, while Altria ( MO ) did not immediately

respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Menthol cigarettes have drawn the ire of several health

advocacy groups on grounds that they are highly addictive, and

for their appeal to young smokers.

They have also faced scrutiny for their disproportionate

impact on the health of Black communities, where they are

marketed heavily.