Page 6 - ARUBA TODAY

A6 U.S. NEWS
Thursday 28 November 2019

No more menthol cigarettes: New ban on tobacco, vape flavors

By PHILIP MARCELO fornia have taken steps to
Associated Press restrict menthols and other
BOSTON (AP) — Massachu- flavored cigarettes.
setts became the first state State Attorney General
to ban flavored tobacco Maura Healey and other
and nicotine vaping prod- supporters said that restrict-
ucts, including menthol cig- ing menthols and other fla-
arettes, after Republican vored tobacco products
Gov. Charlie Baker signed is critical because they've
into law on Wednesday a contributed to growth
bill that's meant to reduce in the traditional smok-
the appeal of the products ing market, which in turn
to young people amid a prompted the creation of
rash of illnesses and deaths flavored vaping products
linked to vaping. targeted at youths.
Anti-smoking groups hailed The American Cancer So-
the ban, which restricts ciety's Cancer Action Net-
sale and consumption of work said it hoped the new
flavored vaping products law sends a message to the
immediately and does the industry.
same for menthol ciga- "More than 80% of teens
rettes starting June 1, 2020. who have ever used a to-
"The Massachusetts law is a bacco product started
major milestone in the fight In this Nov. 6, 2014, file photo, a man smokes a cigarette on Main Street in Westminster, Mass. with a flavored product,
to reverse the worsening Associated Press and the tobacco industry
e-cigarette epidemic and knows this," the organiza-
stop tobacco companies ucts. But Massachusetts is Control and Prevention strictions because it's long tion said in an emailed
from targeting and addict- now the first with a broad, and the Food and Drug been one of the most pop- statement.
ing kids with flavored prod- permanent ban in place Administration are the only ular flavors. The legislation responds to
ucts," said Matthew Myers, on all flavored tobacco or ones that can address the Menthols were omitted growing concern about
president of the Campaign nicotine vaping products, issue comprehensively for from legislation passed by the health effects of vap-
for Tobacco-Free Kids. anti-smoking groups say. the nation. the New York City Coun- ing products, including
But the New England Con- The new law specifically "Sometimes someone has cil on Tuesday after advo- deaths whose exact cause
venience Store and Ener- restricts sale of the prod- to go first," he said. "It's pret- cates, including the Rev. Al is still being investigated.
gy Marketers Association, ucts to licensed smoking ty clear there isn't going to Sharpton, argued their in- Massachusetts health offi-
which opposed the leg- bars such as cigar bars and be a federal policy on this clusion could lead to harsh cials say there have been
islation, said it's exploring hookah lounges, where anytime soon. So, in the police enforcement in the more than 200 suspected
challenging the new law they'll only be allowed to absence of that, we had to black community. cases of vaping-related
in court, or seeking other be consumed on-site. The act." Studies have shown men- lung injury and three con-
ways to change it. restriction extends to men- President Donald Trump thol cigarettes are con- firmed deaths in the state.
"Public health and safety thol cigarettes and fla- has promised for months to sumed disproportionately In September, Baker de-
has been dealt a blow by vored e-cigarettes, cigars, approve a national ban on by young people and mi- clared a public health
anti-tobacco crusaders pipe tobacco and chew- most flavored e-cigarettes. norities, and anti-tobacco emergency and ordered a
exploiting a youth vaping ing tobacco. But in recent weeks his ad- groups and health experts temporary ban on the sale
crisis, and by lawmakers It also places a 75% ex- ministration has walked have argued menthol has of all vaping products —
bypassing prudent policy- cise tax on nicotine vap- back that promise, cancel- been marketed to African flavored and unflavored.
making," the group said in ing products, gives public ling a planned announce- Americans. Baker said Wednesday he'll
a statement. health officials new author- ment of a ban in favor of But there have been recent lift that ban a few weeks
In recent months, Massa- ity to regulate the products private meetings with the signs that reluctance to ad- early on Dec. 11, when
chusetts and other states, and requires health insurers vaping industry and medi- dress menthols is waning. state health officials are
including Michigan, Mon- cover tobacco cessation cal professionals. Boston health officials ear- expected to roll out addi-
tana, New York, Oregon, counseling. Massachusetts' decision to lier this week prohibited the tional regulations.
Rhode Island, Utah and Baker said he hopes other extend the ban to men- sale of menthols in conve- The Tobacco Merchants
Washington, have tempo- states adopt similar restric- thols is unique. nience stores, and dozens Association, an industry
rarily banned or restricted tions but argued that the The mint flavor has typically of other communities in group, didn't respond to an
the sale of vaping prod- federal Centers for Disease been exempt from such re- Massachusetts and Cali- email seeking comment.q