We join the city of San Francisco in celebrating a victory for public health. Last week, voters approved Proposition E, preserving a local ordinance that prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes.
Eleven countries signed at trade deal in Chile today that includes language that strengthens tobacco control efforts for the participating countries. Once ratified by the signing countries, tobacco companies won't be able to use the agreement to pursue disputes challenging tobacco control measures adopted by participating countries.
Shortly, Massachusetts will be home to the second highest cigarette tax in the country. This honor comes after the state legislature passed a $1 increase to the state's cigarette tax last week as part of a larger transportation bill. The increase will bring Massachusetts' tax to $3.51 a pack.
The TPP trade negotiations present an important opportunity to begin, and set a precedent for, treating tobacco products differently to achieve the economic development, poverty alleviation and health goals the president discussed.