Parents, City Leaders to Rally Against Flavored Tobacco in NYC

After the rally, advocates and an activist dressed as a cigarette will deliver more than 15,000 petitions in support of restricting the sale of flavored tobacco in New York

NEW YORK, NY (11/13/2019) (readMedia)-- On Thursday, elected officials, parents, advocates, and an activist dressed as Mr. Butts -- a character from the Doonsbury comics who represents the Tobacco industry -- will gather at City Hall to deliver more than 15,000 petitions to the City Council from New Yorkers in support of two pieces of legislation that will restrict the sale of flavored tobacco in New York City, including menthol cigarettes and flavored e-cigarettes.

Before the City Council's stated meeting, Mr. Butts will greet Council Members and staff as they enter City Hall with information on the dangers of flavored tobacco.

More than two-thirds of the City Council support legislation to restrict the sale of menthol cigarettes. Nearly as many members support legislation that will ban flavored e-cigarettes. At the rally, advocates will urge the remaining members to support the legislation.

The bills are supported by a coalition of more than 100 local and national organizations and leaders - called Flavors Hook Kids NYC - including the N.Y. NAACP, former Mayor David Dinkins, Rep. Gregory Meeks, the American Lung Association and others.

WHO:

André M. Richardson, Campaign Manager of Flavors Hook Kids NYC

NAACP members

Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes

Rev. Kevin McCall

Bishop Curt Courtenay

Asian Americans for Equality (AAE)

Chris Banks, East New York United Concerned Citizens

**List in formation**
WHAT:

Elected officials, parents, advocates, and an activist dressed as Mr. Butts will gather at City Hall to deliver more than 15,000 petitions to the City Council from New Yorkers in support of two pieces of legislation that will restrict the sale of flavored tobacco in New York City, including menthol cigarettes and flavored e-cigarettes.
WHEN: Thursday November 14, 2019 at 02:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Steps of City Hall
Manhattan, New York
NOTES: