STATEMENT ON CARSON MEASURE TO PROTECT YOUTH HEALTH, END ALL FLAVORED TOBACCO SALES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 14, 2020
Contact: Daisy Vieyra, daisy.vieyra@berlinrosen.com, 805-612-4710

CARSON, Calif.–In the midst of a national e-cigarette epidemic, members of the Carson city council voted Tuesday to pass a local ordinance ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes. Joining San Diego and Alameda counties, which also both passed ordinances Tuesday, Carson is part of a growing national movement to ban all flavored tobacco products.

Pastor Kelvin Sauls, faith-based community organizer issued the following statement on behalf of L.A. Families Fighting Flavored Tobacco after the unanimous vote:

“We applaud city council members for taking a bold stand to protect young people and public health by putting a stop to future addictions before they begin. For decades, Big Tobacco has relied on flavored tobacco, including menthol and now e-cigarettes, to mask the poison they’re peddling. As a person of faith, we seek to realize the promise of abundant living through the promotion of the healthy habits and lifestyles, free of flavored tobacco, including menthol, for children, families and our community.”

Menthol cigarettes have historically been a favorite recruitment tool for the industry, designed to hook African Americans and young people. It’s no accident that African Americans and young people smoke menthol at higher rates than other demographic groups.

Today, the City Council stood on the right side of history for a healthier, tobacco free Carson.”

To view the original press release, click here.

Carson ordinance details: Item 48 on page 25, ordinance  #19-1940 (attached here)