Courtesy of Stan Martin Consulting, LLC

A growing public health movement is calling for the removal of menthol cigarettes from store shelves. The issue is about more than flavor—it concerns addiction, health equity, and preventing smoking-related deaths. In Buffalo and throughout New York State, organizations such as the No Menthol Movement, supported by public health advocates including Stan Martin Consulting, are raising awareness and encouraging local leaders to consider policies that restrict menthol tobacco products. 

Menthol Cigarettes Are Different.

 Menthol is a mint-derived additive that creates a cooling sensation in the throat and lungs. This cooling effect reduces the harshness of cigarette smoke, making it easier for new smokers to start and harder for existing smokers to quit. Menthol may also enhance nicotine’s addictive effects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that menthol products account for roughly one-third of cigarette sales in the U.S., and an even higher percentage among youth smokers.

Restrictions Can Reduce Smoking.

 Those who support menthol restriction say removing these products from the market could significantly lower smoking rates. Studies estimate that a nationwide menthol ban could cause hundreds of thousands of smokers to quit and prevent over 600,000 smoking-related deaths in the U.S. over several decades. Evidence from other regions supports this potential. Canada implemented a nationwide menthol cigarette ban in 2017, and studies published in the journal Tobacco Control found that menthol smokers were more likely to try quitting and successfully stop smoking after the ban was introduced. Similar policies have been adopted in Massachusetts and California, where menthol cigarettes and flavored tobacco products were removed from retail stores.

A Health Equity Issue.

Public health researchers say tobacco companies have promoted menthol cigarettes heavily in Black communities and urban neighborhoods for decades. According to the American Cancer Society, about 85% of Black smokers use menthol cigarettes, compared to roughly 30% of white smokers. Reducing menthol availability could help address long-standing disparities in tobacco-related illness. 

Why Buffalo Should Care.

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., responsible for over 480,000 deaths each year, according to the CDC. Local health leaders, including experts at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, say reducing tobacco use is one of the most effective ways to decrease cancer rates. Of the 144 Buffalo residents who die from lung cancer yearly, 41 are Black. This means almost one Black person in Buffalo is lost to cigarette smoking nearly every week. For many of them, it was a menthol cigarette. 

What Residents Can Do.

 Community voices play an important role in shaping policy. During Minority Health Awareness month, residents who support menthol restrictions can learn about the issue through trusted health organizations, share accurate information with friends and community members, participate in community discussions about tobacco policy, and contact local or state representatives to share their views. Learn more at www.nomentholbflo.org. 

Stan Martin Consulting, LLC is a certified minority-owned business enterprise and an anchor organization for the No Menthol Buffalo movement. For information, contact Founder and CEO Stan Martin at sm@stanmartinconsulting.com.