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distinguish from the candy displays near which they are frequently placed in retail outlets. In <br />California, nine out of ten high school tobacco users report using flavored products.' <br />Menthol Cigarettes Increase Smoking Among Youth <br />No other flavored product contributes more to the death and disease caused by tobacco use than <br />menthol cigarettes. We applaud your decision not to exempt menthol cigarettes from your <br />ordinance. Menthol delivers a pleasant minty taste and imparts a cooling and soothing sensation. <br />These characteristics successfully mask the harshness of tobacco, making it easier for beginner <br />smokers and kids to tolerate smoking.The FDA's Tobacco Product Scientific Advisory Committee <br />TPSAC) has reported that: <br />Menthol cigarettes increase the number of children who <br />experiment with cigarettes and the number of children <br />who become regular smokers, increasing overall youth <br />smoking. <br />Young people who initiate using menthol cigarettes are <br />more likely to become addicted and become long-term <br />daily smokers. <br />pop <br />The availability of menthol cigarettes reduces smoking <br />cessation in some populations, especially among Black <br />Americans, and increases the overall prevalence of <br />smoking among Black Americans. <br />Menthol cigarettes are marketed disproportionately to <br />younger smokers and are disproportionately marketed <br />per capita to Black Americans. <br />After a thorough review of the evidence,TPSAC concluded that "Removal of menthol cigarettes from <br />the marketplace would benefit public health in the United States."'A decade later—in April 2021—the <br />FDA announced its intention to pursue rulemaking to prohibit menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. <br />However, until any FDA action is finalized, states and cities should continue their growing efforts to <br />end the sale of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products. It will take time for the FDA to <br />finalize and implement the necessary regulations to prohibit menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, <br />and tobacco industry lawsuits could cause more delays. States and cities have an obligation to protect <br />the health of their citizens and must act now to stop tobacco companies from targeting kids, Black <br />Americans and other groups with menthol cigarettes and other flavored products. We can't afford <br />more delay in taking action to protect kids and save lives.