Right now, the Maryland General Assembly is considering legislation to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products – and legislators need to hear that their constituents support it!
The latest CDC data shows the youth e-cigarette epidemic is getting worse. Now, 5.3 million kids – including 1/4 high school students – are using e-cigs. An overwhelming majority of them say flavors are why.
We must end the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products. This includes menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars – which the tobacco industry uses to target and addict youth, especially in communities of color.
To whom it may concern:
As your constituent, I'm writing to ask that you SUPPORT HB 3/SB 233 and protect Maryland children from big tobacco. We need to end the sale of all flavored tobacco in Maryland – with no exemptions.
Any proposal to remove the flavored tobacco products that are most attractive to kids must include menthol. A majority of youth e-cigarette users use mint or menthol flavored e-cigarettes. Among 10th and 12th grade Juul users, mint is the most popular flavor. Eliminating menthol cigarettes is not only a tobacco prevention issue, but a social justice issue – 7 out of 10 African American youth smokers use menthol cigarettes and African Americans are more likely to die from tobacco-related causes than any other race or ethnic group in the United States.
A comprehensive policy that bans all flavored tobacco in all retailers is the best way to reduce youth access and protect kids. We are facing a public health crisis. With the skyrocketing rate of youth e-cigarette use, protecting our kids' health should be the top priority.
[Your comment here]
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
