Biden Administration Pushes for Science-Informed Ban on Menthol Cigarettes
Casey Kalman, Research Associate, Center for Science and Democracy | May 11, 2021, 2:43 pm EDT
Earlier this month, the Biden administration announced its intent to ban the sale of menthol flavored cigarettes. If finalized, public health experts and anti-tobacco advocates believe this would be a big step forward in tobacco regulation and could help address health disparities experienced by communities of color.
The harms caused by flavored cigarettes, including menthol, have been known for decades as they increase the likelihood that someone will start smoking, especially for teens. Menthol is a flavor derived from mint plants or developed in a lab that has a cooling, soothing affect that reduces the harshness of smoking. Not only has menthol been known to make it easier to start smoking but also can make it more difficult to quit.
Our Turn: NH needs a healthy state budget
Published: 4/19/2021 8:51:16 AM
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every community across New Hampshire and illuminated how race, place and income can affect a person’s health, and even survival, in the Granite State. Now that National Public Health Week as come to a close, we would like to reflect on the American Public Health Association’s theme of
Building Bridges to Better Health.
At New Futures and the N.H. Public Health Association, building a bridge to better health means rebuilding from these challenges into a healthier and more equitable state as we enter the beginning of the end of this global pandemic. To do so, we need a strong public health system that extends far beyond addressing the immediate challenges of the pandemic and promotes health equity for every person in every community.
What It Will Take for Cannabis Vaporization to Become a Market Leader newcannabisventures.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newcannabisventures.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Broad Strokes Affects Many Folks
The biggest issue with this act is the wording.
In the act it defines ENDS as any electronic device that, through an aerosolized solution, delivers nicotine, flavor, or any other substance to the user inhaling from the device.
Pretty broad and general right?
It could pretty much be used to describe any device, from aromatherapy products, to baby vaporizers, or oil vapes and wax devices.
The guidelines also include any component, liquid, part, or accessory of an ENDS, regardless of whether sold separately from the device.
Once again, extremely broad in its scope, so now we’re talking, mouthpieces, balloons, whips, capsules, wax tanks, etc.
(Pixabay)
DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones appealed to legislators to shepherd the approval of stricter measures on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) or Electronic Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENNDS), popularly known as e-cigarettes.
“On matters related to substance use prevention, education alone is not enough. In their classes, we teach our learners how to reject harmful substances. Outside these classes, we need policies and structures that will help reinforce our learners’ health-promoting choices, complementing what we teach them in school,” she said in a statement as the Senate Committee on Health seeks to conduct a hearing on the provisions of the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act.