My heartfelt “thank you” goes out to each of the Saint Paul City Councilmembers who voted in favor of the ordinance to restrict the sale of menthol tobacco to adult-only stores. Menthol will no longer be sold at stores where kids shop on a daily basis.
The Council’s vote will have a significant impact on the health of our African American community — especially our young people — now and in the future.
Our community has been a target for the tobacco industry for over half a century. The result is that menthol tobacco is costing us our lives. It is a great source of pride that our city leaders are stepping up to protect young people of color from being preyed upon by the tobacco industry. We are leading the nation in ending the cycle of addiction by restricting the sale of menthol tobacco.
This ordinance will save the lives of many youth who will have a much harder time getting access to this deadly poison.
Sylvia Amos lives in Minneapolis
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