There's nothing
just about Menthol.

Big Tobacco has been taking advantage of our pride.

Learn more about menthol's impact on the LGBTQIA+ community

Menthol is not just a flavor.

For decades, Big Tobacco has appeared as an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. But their presence at our events and in our culture is not about support, it's about aggressively marketing menthol tobacco products.

Menthol is not just a flavor. It's a manipulative way for tobacco companies to target, attract and addict us.

And there's nothing just about it.

These facts are nothing to be proud of

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A tobacco company created a marketing plan targeting gay people. They called it Project SCUM.

Source
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LGBT* smokers are more likely to use menthol cigarettes than non-LGBT* smokers.

Source
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LGBT* young adults are nearly 2x as likely to use tobacco as their non-LGBT* peers.

Source

LGBT* young adults are nearly 2x as likely to use tobacco as their non-LGBT* peers.

*LGBT/LGBT+/LGBTQ+/LGBTQIA+ are all acronyms for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual or allied. In NYS, we prefer the acronym LGBTQIA+ as the most inclusive way to acknowledge and respect the diversity of bodies, genders, and relationships. The majority of sources cited here use the same or similar inclusive acronyms; for specific usages, refer to individual sources linked here.

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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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The New York State Smokers' Quitline is a confidential service for all New York State residents who wish to overcome tobacco use, including e-cigarettes.

Free offerings include individualized coaching and assistance with quit-planning from highly trained Quit Coaches, text and chat support and free shipping of stop-smoking medications such as nicotine patches or nicotine gum for those 18 and older. Residents of all ages may contact the Quitline for support and educational materials. In addition, the Quitline encourages teens and young adults (ages 13-24) to text "DROPTHEVAPE" to 88709 to join This Is Quitting, a free texting support program for help with quitting vaping.

Visit nysmokefree.com anytime for more information or call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) seven days a week, beginning at 9 a.m.

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