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Menthol cigarettes are a major reason why Black Americans suffer disproportionately from tobacco <br /> use. The tobacco industry's "investment" in the African American community has had a destructive <br /> impact. In 2013, the FDA released a report finding that menthol cigarettes lead to increased smoking <br /> initiation among youth and young adults, greater addiction, and decreased success in quitting <br /> smoking.25 Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death among Black Americans, <br /> claiming 45,000 Black lives every year.26 Tobacco use is a major contributor to three of the leading <br /> causes of death among Black Americans- heart disease, cancer and stroke.21 The higher rates of some <br /> tobacco-caused diseases among Black Americans result, in part, from their greater use of menthol <br /> cigarettes, which are associated with reduced cessation.28 A study released just this month found that <br /> among the Black community, 157,000 smoking-related premature deaths and 1.5 million excess life- <br /> years between the years 1980 and 2018 can be attributed to menthol cigarettes.29 <br /> The scientific evidence leaves no doubt that menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products <br /> increase the number of people, particularly kids,who try the product, become addicted and die a <br /> premature death as a result. Prohibiting the sale of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco <br /> products is an important step toward protecting our children from the tobacco industry's aggressive <br /> efforts to hook children to a deadly, addictive product. <br /> This issue is about protecting our kids and vulnerable populations. By prohibiting the sale of all flavored <br /> tobacco products, Santa Ana would join over seventy cities and counties in California that are already <br /> enacted comprehensive laws to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products. Thank you for <br /> considering a strong and comprehensive policy without exemptions. It will save lives. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Lindsey Freitas, MPA <br /> Regional Advocacy Director <br /> Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids <br /> Ifreitas@tobaccofreekids.org <br />