Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars > Leaders and Partners in Prohibiting Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars
The African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC) is our country’s leading public health education and advocacy organization taking on Big Tobacco to save Black lives.
On June 17, 2020, public health groups, led by the AATCLC, and others successfully sued the FDA after years of delays to take action on menthol cigarettes after prohibiting all other flavors in cigarettes. FDA’s movement on the proposed rules is a direct result of this lawsuit.
View AATCLC’s video, “The Culture of Manipulation,” which explains how the tobacco industry has targeted the Black community to sell its menthol cigarettes and other tobacco products.
On May 19, 2022, AATCLC will host “The Consequences of A Match Made in Hell,” a discussion on the birthday of Malcolm X on the harm caused by menthol smoking to the African American population with leading researchers in the field. See more information and register.
The Center for Black Health & Equity (The Center) is the leading nationally recognized public health entity for solutions impacting African American health. They engage health care organizations, public health officials, faith leaders, and African American communities in health promotion and disease prevention work.
The Center has fought against the marketing and sale of deadly tobacco products to African Americans for decades and have given particular attention to the elimination of mentholated tobacco products.
The Center explains why menthol is a racial issue and refutes Big Tobacco’s lies when it comes to menthol products, including, as they say, the industry’s exploitation of the real issues of police brutality and mass incarceration.
On May 15th, 2022, the Center will host “No Menthol Sunday,” an annual faith-based observance day to discuss with faith communities how the tobacco industry has targeted the Black community and addicted generations of young people with menthol. Get more information on menthol and learn how to participate in No Menthol Sunday.
The National LGBT Cancer Network works to improve the lives of LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk.
The National LGBT Cancer Network recommends the banning of all flavored commercial tobacco products, including menthol, as tobacco use is one of the largest health risks to sexual and gender minority persons and a virtual guarantee to a disproportionate cancer impact.