Widespread calls for the White House to end menthol cigarette sales

Truth Initiative

March 1, 2024

Black leaders and public health groups call for ending menthol cigarette sales

Many prominent Black civil rights leaders, faith leaders, public officials, and public health experts – including leaders of the NAACP, members of Congress, mayors of major cities, and former U.S. surgeons general – are calling for the White House to stop delaying and end menthol cigarette sales. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed rules to end menthol cigarette and flavored cigar sales last spring, which were expected to be finalized by the White House in August 2023. However, the administration has repeatedly delayed finalizing the rules in the face of pressure from the tobacco industry.

READ MORE ►

4 tips for quitting tobacco from Millie Martinez, a former menthol smoker

Millie Martinez, of the the Bronx, New York, started smoking menthols when she was just 15 years old because it was the ‘cool thing’ to do. She’d been smoking menthols ever since, surrounded by a community where menthol cigarettes were a part of everyday life. Martinez documented her journey to quit smoking in a video blog from the EX Program, a digital quit-smoking plan and online community of thousands of smokers and ex-smokers developed by Truth Initiative in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic. The video follows her throughout her first week of quitting where she shares her motivations, struggles, and how the EX community is helping her take each day at a time.

READ MORE ►

Quitting vaping in 2024: Top tips and resources

2024 could be the year for you or someone you care about to quit vaping. According to a 2023 Truth Initiative survey, 67% of 15-to-24-year-old e-cigarette users surveyed said they were considering quitting as a New Year’s resolution. There are many reasons people want to quit vaping, including physical or mental health concerns, financial cost, freedom from addiction, and influence from friends, family, and others. Whatever reasons may be motivating you or someone you care about to quit, here are some top tips and resources.

READ MORE ►

Image

This week in tobacco policy news

California – The California Attorney General, Assembly Speaker pro Tempore, and Assembly Speaker introduced a bill to help ensure the successful implementation of the flavored tobacco ban.
READ MORE ►

 

Colorado – The Senate passed a bill to allow counties to regulate or prohibit the sale and distribution of flavored cigarettes, tobacco, and nicotine products. It now moves to the House for consideration.
READ MORE ►

 

Kentucky - The House passed a bill prohibiting the use of tobacco and vapor products in schools and would require evidence-based age-appropriate vape and nicotine cessation materials be provided to public school students statewide. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
READ MORE ►

 

Vermont – A bill to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee. It now moves to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration. The bill already passed in the Senate last year.
READ MORE ►

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube