PROVIDENCE – December 28, 2024 – Starting the first of the year, menthol flavored e-cigarette products will still be on store shelves across Rhode Island. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and its team of advocates, including cancer survivors and patients, are disappointed with the new policy and urge lawmakers to do more to protect our kids.
“ACS CAN supports ending the sale of menthol cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products without exemption,” said Ryan Strik, ACS CAN Rhode Island Government Relations Director. “We know Big Tobacco uses menthol and other flavors to target and addict the next generation of Rhode Islanders to their deadly products."
“We owe it to our kids, and to all communities to take all flavored tobacco products including menthol flavored e-cigarettes products off the shelves,” said Strik. “Most kids using tobacco today started with flavored products and menthol is among the many flavors that entice new users to pick up these products in the first place. Exempting menthol products is a nod to tobacco industry’s bottom line at the expense of public health.”
“In addition to tightening loopholes in this policy, there’s more lawmakers can do to protect our communities from the tobacco industries continued targeting, including a fully funded tobacco control program,” continued Strik.
“As tobacco companies continue to introduce more products in a rainbow of flavors, it is increasingly important to increase state funding for fact-based tobacco control programs. To protect our kids and communities historically targeted by tobacco companies, we need the legislature to increase funding for tobacco control. These programs provide necessary resources to educate the public on the health effects of all tobacco products and to provide support and help for those who are struggling to quit.”
ACS CAN remains committed to working with elected leaders throughout Rhode Island to reduce the suffering and death caused by cancer through tobacco control and other proven cancer-fighting policies in our communities.
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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.