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For Immediate Release
January 15, 2025
Contact: Elizabeth Goodsitt/Jennifer Miller 608-266-1683
DHS Launches Campaign Highlighting Health Risks of Menthol Tobacco Products
Working to reach populations most targeted by tobacco marketing and menthol use
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has launched a digital education and outreach campaign highlighting the dangers of menthol in commercial tobacco products and focused on the impact that targeted marketing of these products has on certain communities.
"Over generations, menthol in tobacco has had a catastrophic health impact on Wisconsinites," said State Health Officer Paula Tran. "Each year 7,900 Wisconsinites die from tobacco use. National studies have shown that if menthol cigarettes were no longer available in Wisconsin, an estimated 17,200 adults in the state would quit smoking."
Today, menthol remains widely in use, with menthol sales increasing over the last decade. During this time, menthol tobacco advertisements have been disproportionately promoted to African American and other communities of color. As a result of these advertising methods, menthol is now used by nine in 10 African Americans in Wisconsin who smoke and smoking contributes to the three leading causes of death among this community: heath disease, cancer, and stroke. Additionally, the adult smoking prevalence for African Americans in Wisconsin is much higher, in some cases nearly twice as high, compared to other communities across the state.
View the entire news release.
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