(Reuters) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will likely publish rules banning menthol cigarettes by Thursday, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the subject.

According to the WSJ, the proposed ban that would have prohibited the sale of menthol cigarettes or all flavored cigars will not be in effect for at most two years.

Reuters reached out to FDA for clarification but they did not respond immediately.

According to the newspaper, final rules could be published by the agency as soon as 2023. However, it is possible that the ban will take effect in 20, according to the report.

For many decades, anti-smoking organizations have been focusing on menthol cigarettes. They claim that they cause disproportionate health problems in Black communities and encourage young people to smoke.

One year ago, the agency had announced this plan. The proposal is sure to meet stiff resistance from tobacco companies.

According to the WSJ Report, at most one of the tobacco companies indicated it may sue. This would further delay implementation.

Menthol cigarettes have been banned in many US states. They account for over a third market share of the overall industry in the United States. This is despite declining smoking rates in this country.