Santa Claus + Advocates to Deliver Minty Menthol Treats to Council Speaker

Members of the Flavors Hook Kids coalition will hand out mint candy-canes and demand action on legislation to restrict the sale of menthol cigarettes

NEW YORK, NY (12/18/2019) (readMedia)-- On Thursday, before the New York City Council's stated meeting, Santa Claus and advocates from the Flavors Hook Kids NYC Coalition will hand out candy-canes on the City Hall steps to demand action on legislation to restrict the sale of menthol cigarettes in New York City. They will then drop off the candy canes to Speaker Johnson. Menthol, which is an organic compound made from peppermint, masks the harsh taste of tobacco flavor, making it easier to start smoking and harder to quit.

Big Tobacco has aggressively marketed flavored menthol products to underage users for decades to hook new generations of smokers--particularly in communities of color, where menthol cigarettes are sold to young people, creating disproportionately negative health outcomes for African Americans. Over half of youth smokers ages 12-17 use menthol cigarettes. 80% of black smokers prefer menthol.

In November, the City Council banned flavored e-cigarettes, but has yet to vote on a measure supported by more than two-thirds of the Council that would restrict menthol cigarette sales.

WHO:

Santa Claus

Advocates from the Flavors Hook Kids NYC Campaign

**list in formation**

WHAT:

 Santa Claus hands out minty menthol treats with advocates, demanding Council Speaker Corey Johnson ban menthol.

WHEN: Thursday December 19, 2019 at 01:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Steps of City Hall
Manhattan, New York
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