There's nothing
just about menthol.

Menthol-flavored tobacco products are dangerous for our communities

Menthol is not
just a flavor.

It's a manipulative way for Big Tobacco to target, attract and addict Black Americans. The cooling flavor makes menthol products easier to start and much harder to quit, and tobacco companies aggressively market menthol products using elements of Black culture, putting more products on shelves in Black communities and making them cheaper. And for Black Americans, it's not just an injustice - it's killing us.

Historically, the marketing and promotion of menthol cigarettes have been targeted heavily toward African Americans through culturally tailored advertising images and messages.

Smoking-related illnesses are the number one cause of death in the African American community.

Over 7 out of 10 African American youth ages 12-17 years who smoke use menthol cigarettes.
Menthol products are given more shelf space in retail outlets within African American and other minority neighborhoods.
Black smokers smoke less but die of heart attacks, strokes and other causes linked to tobacco use at higher rates than white smokers do.
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We agree that there is nothing just about menthol. And it's time to end this injustice.

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New York State Smokers' QuitLine is a free and confidential service, providing effective services to New York State residents who want to stop tobacco use. This includes motivational coaching; free nicotine patches; an online smoke-free community; and educational fact sheets, materials and videos.

Additional educational tools and cessation resources for healthcare providers, employers, educators and others are also available at NYSmokeFree.com

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