LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) issues this statement from Los Angeles Government Relations Director Primo Castro following the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office’s recommendation to eliminate all flavor tobacco sales:
“The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) applauds the LA City Attorney’s Office’s recommendation to enact nothing short of a citywide ban on the sale of all flavored tobacco products, without exception, which is the best option to protect our youth. The restrictions would cover candy, fruit and mint e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and any other flavored tobacco products including cigars.
“We urge the Los Angeles City Council to consider implementing these protections and immediately end the sale of flavored tobacco. Time is of the essence.
“Nearly 40 other cities, including San Francisco, have already instituted similar flavored tobacco restrictions.
“The recommendation from the LA City Attorney is exactly the type of protection we would like to see for every child in every city. Flavored tobacco products are a ruthless strategy by Big Tobacco to transform our kids into addicted tobacco users through flavored ‘starter kits.’
“Make no mistake—the industry shamelessly tries to maximize profits while its customers suffer death and disease, and local taxpayers continue to foot the bill for tobacco-related illnesses.
“New data release last week by the Food and Drug Administration shows youth use of e-cigarettes in high school skyrocketed, with a 135% increase over the past two years. Preliminary numbers show that an alarming 27.5% of high school students used e-cigarettes in the last 30 days. Sixty-three point nine percent used mint or menthol flavored e-cigarettes, only 2%less than fruit flavored products and significantly more than candy flavors.
“Flavors are driving the e-cigarette epidemic and its unprecedented increase in youth tobacco uptake. The best course of action is to eliminate sales of all flavored tobacco products in the manner recommended by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.”
# #
About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.