Sacramento, Calif. – The following is a statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in response to Justice Kagan’s denial of the tobacco industry’s request for a stay on the California law to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and most other flavored tobacco products.
“The Supreme Court’s rejection of Big Tobacco’s attempt to stop this lifesaving law from taking effect is a huge win for our cancer mission.
“It’s been nearly two years since the California Legislature and then voters overwhelmingly supported ending the sale of menthol cigarettes and most flavored tobacco products recognizing that it is a critical step to reduce suffering and death from tobacco-related diseases like cancer.
“While the industry repeatedly pursues legal challenges to delay or thwart policies aiming to protect our communities from the scourges of tobacco use, ACS CAN will continue to vigorously defend this law to ensure it can save lives from cancer caused by tobacco use as intended.”