flavors & Menthol
Banning Menthol and Flavored Tobacco
A lifesaving move for Oklahoma’s Youth.
The younger someone starts to smoke or vape, the harder it is to stop.¹ Tobacco companies know this, and they show no shame in their efforts to entice and addict children. How are they doing it? With flavors.
Big Tobacco’s Tricks
Despite recent flavor regulations to curb youth tobacco use, Big Tobacco continues to exploit loopholes to addict our kids — for life.
Flavored tobacco, vaping products and menthol cigarettes have grown increasingly popular with kids. Why? Because the less dangerous tobacco seems to teens, the more they use it. Flavorings make it easier to start using tobacco or vape products, but harder to stop.
Sweet, candy-like flavors are also making it easier for kids to give tobacco and vaping a try… and the nicotine packed inside is forcing them to do it again and again.
While federal law prohibits selling cigarettes with candy and fruit flavors, other tobacco products like little cigars, hookah, smokeless tobacco, vapes and e-cigarettes are fair game. Menthol and other mint tobacco products have been exempted from this ban. Adding these flavors helps mask the harsh tobacco flavor, making it easier to use these deadly products.
The Truth About Menthol
Menthol is a strong flavor derived from mint plants and added to tobacco products to mask the harsh burn and bitter taste. Menthol and other flavored tobacco products are a growing public health concern. Learn the truth about menthol cigarettes.
signs of progress
Change Saves Lives
May 2018
In May 2018, San Francisco residents overwhelmingly voted to uphold a ban on all flavored tobacco, including menthol cigarettes and flavored e-cigarettes.² Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota have passed laws restricting sales of menthol-flavored tobacco products.³
January 2020
In January 2020, the FDA mandated a series of flavor restrictions aimed at reducing the number of vape and e-cigarette flavors on the market. However, this ruling is full of loopholes that leave many flavors on store shelves.
February 2020
In February 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that effectively bans the sale of all flavored tobacco and e-cigarettes. A comprehensive flavor ban would eradicate Big Tobacco’s most deceptive tactic.
These bans are sparking momentum for other cities and states to pursue similar legislation.
Advocate for Change
Ending flavored tobacco is a step toward protecting Oklahoma kids and preventing tobacco initiation. Find ways to advocate for lifesaving policies and get involved in state-wide change.
