No Menthol Buffalo moves closer to action on menthol and flavored tobacco sales
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Common Council Community Development Committee introduced a motion Oct. 20 directing the city’s Corporate Counsel to develop a policy for the council to review and vote on regarding the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored tobacco products.
Community advocates, public health experts and residents presented personal testimonials, scientific research and legal policy analysis supporting an end to the sales. No Menthol Buffalo said the policy would address tobacco-related health disparities, youth nicotine addiction and health equity.
“Today, we moved the needle a little closer to protecting the health and lives of Buffalo residents,” said Stan Martin, founder of the No Menthol Buffalo movement. “The voices of our residents, combined with compelling scientific evidence and sound legal analysis, demonstrated why this issue demands action. Now, we must turn this progress into a meaningful policy.”
No Menthol Buffalo said tobacco industry marketing of menthol cigarettes has disproportionately targeted Black and Brown communities, including the LGBTQIA+ community, contributing to addiction, disease and premature deaths. The movement said ending the sales is a public health priority and a matter of social justice.
“While today’s progress is encouraging, our work is not finished,” Martin said. “We are asking every resident, community organization, faith leader, and public health partner to stay engaged and hold our elected officials accountable for moving this policy forward.”
“We are that group, and we will continue working until menthol cigarettes and all flavored tobacco products are off the shelves in Western New York,” Martin said.
About No Menthol Buffalo
No Menthol Buffalo is a community-led movement anchored by Stan Martin Consulting LLC and working with local, regional and national partners on tobacco-related health disparities through community education, youth engagement, tobacco cessation advocacy and policies ending the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored tobacco products.
