Arc of Justice, Faith Leaders + Electeds to Rally at State Capitol to End Sale of Flavored Tobacco in NY

ALBANY, NY (03/20/2023) (readMedia)-- On Monday, President and CEO of The Arc of Justice, Reverend Kirsten Foy, faith leaders and Tobacco Kills NY – a diverse, statewide campaign of civil rights and health advocates, including the NAACP, faith-leaders, public health groups, and others – will rally at the State Capitol to urge lawmakers to end the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, after failing to follow the Governor's lead and the measure in their budget proposals.

Big Tobacco has spent decades targeting Black and Brown communities, using easier-to-smoke harder-to-quit menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products to addict people of color and hook children. As one 1974 research report from Philip Morris said, "Menthols in general do better among the very young, and among very young blacks." And, now, as New York prepares to finally ban these products, Big Tobacco is funding misinformation to defeat the legislation, including lies that a ban will somehow criminalize the very communities civil rights leaders are trying to protect.

A recent poll out from Siena College showed a significant majority of New Yorkers surveyed were in favor of the proposed ban on menthol-flavored tobacco products, with 57% in favor versus 35% against. New Yorkers are also in favor of a one-dollar tax increase on cigarettes, with only a third of respondents against the measure, according to the poll. Additionally, a new poll conducted by Global Strategy Group paid for by Tobacco Kills NY showed that three-out-of-five Black and Latino New Yorkers support a ban on menthol-flavored tobacco products.