New data from the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on tobacco-related disparities finds that the design and aggressive marketing of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, has driven tobacco-related health disparities, reigniting calls in New York City to end the sale of menthol cigarettes.
Menthol cigarettes are the most popular type of cigarettes and have found to be easier to smoke and harder to quit. In New York City, more than half of youth who smoke cigarettes choose menthol cigarettes and show more signs of being hooked on nicotine than those who smoke nonmenthol cigarettes. Efforts to end the sale of menthol cigarettes in New York City date back several years and reflect the voices of many medical, public health, religious and civil rights leaders. The latest report affirms the importance of such a push.
“This report should serve as a serious wake-up call to lawmakers that it is time to thwart Big Tobacco’s influence and take away their power to addict any more New Yorkers. The findings indicated that restricting the availability of menthol cigarettes can be effective in reducing smoking initiation and prevalence, giving us a clear pathway to limit the burden of menthol in our communities,” said Michael Davoli, Senior Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “We’ve seen federal, state and local lawmakers repeatedly fail to address the deadly impact of menthol cigarettes, protecting Big Tobacco in the process. We cannot let another opportunity pass us by. Our lawmakers owe it to us to pursue this evidence-based strategy.”
In 2022, City Councilmember Rita Joseph introduced legislation to end the sale of menthol cigarettes. Despite being supported by a majority of councilmembers, the legislation did not receive a hearing. Advocates with ACS CAN are hopeful that they will see a similar proposal introduced by the end of this year and that City Councilmembers will lend their support to it and prioritize New Yorkers’ health.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.