Kathy Jennings Kathleen Jennings Flavored tobacco products pose a significant danger to our public health and are fueling a growing epidemic of tobacco use in Delaware. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has an opportunity to prohibit menthol cigarettes and take a step toward mitigating the harms of flavored tobacco products in our communities, Delaware can do more, and it should start with introducing and passing legislation to end the sale of flavored tobacco products. Let’s be clear: Menthol is a flavor. And just like candy, mint, and fruit flavors, tobacco companies use menthol to lure potential customers to their products - especially youth and minority populations. While the tobacco industry initially marketed menthol cigarettes as safer and healthier, this could not be further from the truth. This lie, among others, led state attorneys general from 46 states to sue the tobacco industry several decades ago, which resulted in a master settlement agreement that restricted the advertising and marketing of cigarettes. As a result of this agreement, there was a significant decrease in youth cigarette smoking and smoking overall. It represents progress, but more work is still needed.