State Health Department Releases Report Illustrating Persistent Disparities In Menthol Cigarette Use

"Menthol Is Not Just a Flavor" Report Addresses Tobacco Industry's Aggressive Marketing to Racial, Ethnic Minorities and Lower Income Communities

ALBANY, N.Y. (September 16, 2024) - The New York State Department of Health released Menthol is Not Just a Flavor: Aggressive Marketing to Racial and Ethnic Minorities and Lower Income Communities Fuels Persistent Disparities in Menthol Cigarette Use, a report showing persistent disparities in menthol cigarette use, highlighting the impact of aggressive tobacco industry marketing of menthol cigarettes in communities of color.

"The tobacco industry aggressively markets its deadly menthol products to the Black community, the LGBTQIA+ community, women, youth, and people living in urban and lower-income communities," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Smoking causes long-term disease and disability, as well as premature death, so we must continue to address the harmful impact commercial tobacco has on our communities as well as the predatory methods used to target them."

According to the report, among New York adults who smoke cigarettes, 49 percent report they usually smoke menthols. Menthol cigarette use was highest among adults who smoke who identify as Black or African American (88 percent) and those who identify as Hispanic (70 percent); it was lowest among those who identify as White (35 precent) or as another race (44 percent). Of adults who smoke, use of menthol cigarettes was higher among those reporting an annual household income less than $26,000 (61 percent) compared to those with incomes of $26,000 or more (42 percent).

Menthol is a chemical found in peppermint and other mint plants and when added to tobacco products, provides a cooling sensation that masks the harshness. Cigarettes with menthol are easier to start and more addictive. Menthol can also make it harder to quit smoking.

This report shows that menthol cigarettes are a significant risk to public health and to advancing health equity and underscores a continued need for tobacco control efforts to address the harms caused by the commercial tobacco industry.

Since 2000, the State's Tobacco Control Program has implemented evidence-based programming to reduce illness, disability, and death related to commercial tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure, and to alleviate social and economic inequities caused by tobacco use. The program uses an evidence-based, policy-driven, and population-level approach to tobacco control and prevention with a commitment to promote health equity among populations disproportionately impacted by tobacco marketing and use.

New York State remains a leader in tobacco control and prohibited the sale of flavored e-cigarettes or nicotine vapor products, including menthol-flavored products, in 2020.

The program also funds 21 Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities grantees to educate community leaders and the public about the dangers and social injustice of tobacco marketing and engage local stakeholders to promote community changes that limit the commercial tobacco industry's presence, de-normalize tobacco use and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. In conjunction with the Department, local partners, launched the award-winning media campaign to draw attention to the tobacco industry's marketing and promotion of menthol-flavored tobacco products to youth, Black, and LGBTQIA+ communities in 2021.

The Tobacco Control Program's efforts and actions have contributed to record-low youth and adult smoking rates in New York State but there is much work to be done to address the health disparities issues caused by tobacco marketing.

Promoting proven public policies to reduce tobacco use, such as policies that prohibit, restrict, or decrease sales of menthol tobacco products, can help protect communities disproportionately impacted by tobacco-related disparities. Sales restrictions on flavored tobacco products, including menthol products, are gaining momentum at all levels of government and most New York adults support these policies. Health systems and providers can also improve equitable access to evidence-based quitting resources, such as counseling and medication, and while emphasizing culturally sensitive quit coaching.

New Yorkers who want help to quit smoking or vaping, including counseling and medication, can talk to a health care provider or contact the New York State Quitline. The New York State Quitline provides free, confidential services, including information, tools, quit coaching, support in both English and Spanish, and free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), such as patches and gum. Services are available by calling 1-866 NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487), texting (716) 309-4688, or visiting www.nysmokefree.com for information, to chatting online with a Quit Coach or signing up for Learn2QuitNY, a six-week, step-by-step text messaging program to build the skills needed to quit any tobacco product.

The Quitline provides resources for people to learn more about menthol, including how menthol affects African American, LGBTQIA+, and Hispanic or Latinx communities as well as tools to help quit menthol tobacco products.

Information about the Department's Tobacco Control Program can be found here.