ACS CAN Stresses the Importance of Prohibiting the Sale of All Flavors of All Tobacco Products Following the Passage of Legislation Restricting the Sale of Flavored E-Cigarettes

TRENTON, NJ –Both houses of the New Jersey State Legislature have passed a bill that restricts the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New Jersey Government Relations Director Samantha DeAlmeida released the following statement:

“By prohibiting the sale of only flavored e-cigarettes and not all flavored tobacco products, far too many New Jerseyans will remain at risk. The fiscal and human toll of tobacco is unacceptably high in this state. The evidence is clear – flavors hook kids. We must act to protect kids and adults in our state.

“Flavored tobacco products are used by the tobacco industry to lure kids into a lifetime of addiction. 143,000 kids who are alive now in New Jersey will die prematurely as a result of smoking. More than 80% of kids who use tobacco start with a flavored product. In this country, 54% of teens who smoke use menthol cigarettes. For African-American teens who smoke, that figure rises to 70%.  Big Tobacco has shamelessly targeted communities of color, the LGBT community and low socioeconomic neighborhoods with predatory marketing of menthol products for decades. Now is the time to protect all kids from a lifetime of addiction.

“For this legislation to be effective, it must include all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. We urge the New Jersey legislature and Governor Murphy to pass and enact comprehensive legislation that restricts the sale of all flavored tobacco products.”

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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.