Menthol and Other Flavored Tobacco Products
The high prevalence of menthol and flavored tobacco use in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities poses a significant threat to public health. Predatory marketing strategies by big tobacco companies on AI/AN communities has amplified initiation and addiction rates, further worsening health disparities. Menthol and flavored tobacco has been recognized as a catalyst for smoking initiation and addiction, posing an additional hurdle to quitting efforts. AI/AN communities encounter distinct challenges linked to the use of menthol and other flavored tobacco products, with the youth being particularly vulnerable to heightened risks. In a recent survey, 19.9% of youth in grades 8 report using vaping products at least once in their lifetime and 38.8% of 12th graders report having used vaping products. 1 Additionally,77% of youth surveyed in grades 8-10 did not perceive the use of vaping products as increasing their risk of developing cancer and other illnesses and nearly half of all respondents indicated that it was fairly easy for them to obtain vape products.1
The harmful effects of menthol and flavored tobacco products extend beyond individual health, impacting community well-being and exacerbating existing disparities. It is imperative to address these issues comprehensively, emphasizing education, awareness, access to cessation services, culturally tailored interventions and effective policy initiatives to curb the prevalence of menthol and flavored tobacco use in AI/AN communities.
Stanley, S. J., Kelley, D. E., O'Brien, E., Margolis, K. A., Navarro, M. A., Alexander, J. P., & O'Donnell, A. N. (2022). US digital tobacco marketing and youth: A narrative review. Preventive Medicine Reports, 102094.
New Surgeon General Report on Tobacco-Related Disparities
Each year in the U.S. more than 470,000 adults are estimated to die from cigarette smoking and certain groups of people are at greater risk for disease, disability, and death due to commercial tobacco use. Learn more from the New Surgeon General Report on Tobacco-Related Disparities.
MMWR Article: Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students -- National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2024
Youth Tobacco product use at a 25-year low, yet disparities persist
- To assess the use of tobacco products among youth, the Centers for Disease Control and PRevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) use data from the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey, a cross-sectional, school-based self-administered web-based survey of U.S. middle (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12) students.
- During 2023-2024, among all middle school and high school students, current (previous 30-day) use of any tobacco product declined by an estimated 550,000 students, largely driven by the decline in high school e-cigarette use (from 1.56 million to 1.21 million), and reaching the lowest level ever measured by the National Youth Tobacco Survey. Despite these declines, approximately 2.25 million (8.1% or 1 in 12) middle and high school students reported current use of any tobacco product during 2024; this included 10.1% of high school students and 5.4% of middle school students. E-cigarettes remained the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. youth in 2024; nicotine pouches were the second most commonly used tobacco product. In 2024, 1.7% of high school students and 1.1% of middle school students reported current cigarette smoking, the lowest prevalence ever recorded by NYTS. During 2023-2024, any tobacco product use declined for Hispanic students, increased among American Indian or Alaska Native students, and remained stable for all other racial and ethnic groups, highlighting disparities in tobacco product use.
- Youth use of tobacco products -- in any form -- is unsafe. Tobacco use has many negative health consequences, and nicotine use during adolescence can be uniquely harmful. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm brain development, which continues until about age 25.
- Preventing and reducing youth tobacco use requires a comprehensive approach, including actions at the national, state, and local levels. Effort aimed at reducing disparities are a critical part of tobacco prevention and control measures.
The article is available online at bit.ly/mm7341a2 or https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7341a2.htm?s_cid=mm7341a2_w
The press release is available online at: Youth Tobacco Product Use at a 25-Year Low, Yet Disparities Persist | CDC Newsroom or https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p1017-youth-tobacco-use.html
FDA Center for Tobacco Products: My Vaping Mistake | Native Voices
AwesomenessTV and Next Legends have launched "My Vaping Mistake | Native Voices," a powerful and introspective series that shares the real-life stories of Native teens, Maria (Iñupiaq) from Fairbanks, Alaska; and Dominic (Grand Ronde Tribe) from Grand Ronde, Oregon. The series highlights the emotional and cultural disconnection caused by vaping and how it affects every aspect of life, including one's Native identity. Native Voices showcases their inspiring journey to reclaim their heritage and overcome addiction. Launched in April 2024, the series is available HERE.
Medical Press: Researchers link Electonic Cigarettes and Vaping to Increased Cardiovascular Risk
Electronic cigarette or e-cigarette "vaping" has gained popularity, both among smokers as a purported aid to quit smoking tobacco-related products all together, but also especially among adolescents and teenagers. Vaping is considered "safer" than smoking, but growing evidence points to its significant role in cardiovascular problems. READ MORE
From Truth Initiative: How does vaping nicotine impact sleep?
Nicotine addiction can negatively impact mental health and poses a threat to a generation of young people already experiencing a mental health crisis. On top of that, research also suggests another way nicotine use can affect mental and physical health: by interfering with sleep. Sleep problems can include insufficient sleep, interrupted sleep, restlessness during sleep, nightmares, and daytime sleepiness. Sleep is essential for young people's brain development and mental health, with research finding an association between poor sleep quality and negative mental health.
From Truth Initiative: Vaping Lingo Dictionary - A Guide to Popular Terms and Devices
An estimated 1.63 million middle and high school students currently use e-cigarettes, with 38.4% reporting frequent use. New brands and product types continue to appear on the market at an extremely fast rate, and keeping up with the latest trends and lingo can be difficult. This resource provides a list of popular products, as well as terms and phrases that young people may use to describe nicotine use.
From Truth Initiative: Local Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products
The U.S. Supreme Court has recently taken up FDA v. Triton Distribution, a case in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that will determine if e-cigarette companies can sell products containing certain flavors that appeal to young people. Flavors, including menthol, are a key factor in drawing youth and young adults to tobacco products, and sales restrictions on all flavored tobacco products are gaining momentum at the local and state level. Read our report to learn more about local restrictions on flavored tobacco enacted by U.S. states, counties, cities, and towns.
CDC Foundation Monitoring Tobacco Product Use Website
CDC's Office on Smoking and Health is proud to collaborate with the CDC Foundation in monitoring e-cigarette sales and use among U.S. youth and young adults. CDC Foundation has launched a new website with the latest figures on U.S. e-cigarette sales and tobacco trends. Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, this new website provides interactive charts and other visualization tools offering access to sales figures nationally and in select states, survey results on e-cigarette use, and the latest public health research.
Check out the new website here: https://tobaccomonitoring.org/
WEBINAR: Vaping and Mental Health in Michigan Teens
Date: Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Learning Objectives/Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this activity, the healthcare team will be able to:
- Understand the relationship between vaping and mental health in Michigan Teens by regional data and studies.
- Identify risk factors and protective factors such as peer pressure and social media influence, and discuss protective factors like family support and mental health resources that can mitigate these risks.
- Discuss evidence-based strategies and programs that address both vaping prevention and mental health support in Michigan teens, emphasizing culturally relevant approaches and community involvement.
Target audience:
Physicians, nurses, health educators, administrators, and support staff working with American Indian and/or Alaska Native populations.
WEBINAR: Project Sun - A culturally Adapted Youth Smoking Cessation Program for American Indian/Alaska Native Youth
Date: Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Presenter:
Dr. Claradina Soto (Navajo/Jemez Pueblo)
Associate Professor at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine
Director for the Initiative for California American Indian Health Research and Evaluation
Learning Objectives/Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this activity, the healthcare team will be able to:
- Explore the development and goals of Project SUN.
- Analyze the challenges and successes of implementin culturally adapted smoking cessation programs.
- Examine the study findings on the effectiveness of Project SUN in reducing commercial tobacco use among AI/AN youth.
- Discuss the importance of cultural adaptations in public health initiatives and their impact on community engagement and outcomes.
Description:
This presentation delves into Project SUN (Stop the Use of Nicotine), an innovative, evidence-based smoking cessation program specifically designed for American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) youth. Given the alarming rate of commercial tobacco use among AIAN youth—up to 42%—this program represents a critical intervention. Adapted from Project EX by Dr. Steve Sussman and further refined by Native American experts, including USC professor Claradina Soto and community consultant Lou Moerner, Project SUN integrates culturally relevant elements such as Talking Circles and distinctions between commercial and traditional tobacco use.
About Dr. Soto:
Dr. Claradina Soto (Navajo/Jemez Pueblo) is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and the Director for the Initiative for California American Indian Health Research and Evaluation. She has over 20 years of partnering with American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations in public health, collaborating with urban and Tribal communities in California to reduce and prevent mental health disparities, cancer prevalence, commercial tobacco use, and substance use and opioid use disorders. She teaches courses in the Master of Public Health and Health Promotion programs at USC and mentors undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Soto is a longtime advocate for the AI/AN communities and other priority populations to advance health equity and reduce health disparities.
Target audience:
Physicians, nurses, health educators, administrators, and support staff working with American Indian and/or Alaska Native populations.
New Program in Suttons Bay to Help Teens Quit Vaping
Leelanau Investing for Teens (LIFT) has launched a new incentive to help local teens and young adults quit vaping. The Suttons Bay-based organization has partnered with Truth Initiative to offer "This is Quitting," a free program that uses a text message platform with support, advice, and quitting strategies to help young people stop using e-cigarettes.
SACREDBREATH: indigenous Group Boosts Teen-Focused Nicotine Cessation Through LIFT
From Traverse City Record Eagle
SUTTONS BAY - Leelanau teens and young adults can now get help to kick the vaping habit from the phone in their pocket. The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, which represents all 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan, launched a statewide program to educate youth about the dangers of nicotine and to provide resources to kick the habit.
Helpful Tips for Protecting Youth from the Harms of Vaping
A new CDC feature article highlights ways parents, educators, and health care providers can help youth reject or quit tobacco use, including e-cigarette use. Strategies include talking with youth about vaping, helping them understand the risks, and empowering them to practice healthy behaviors and positive coping skills. Many students who vape report using e-cigarettes because they feel anxious, stressed, or depressed. Healthy coping skills can help youth handle these feelings and avoid using e-cigarettes.
Youth Targeted by Illegal E-Cigarettes
New Free E-Cigarette Quit Program Available for Michigan Tribal Teens & Young Adults
READ FULL MEDIA RELEASE FOR FULL DETAILS HERE
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Next Legends Campaign
Background
In 2022, FDA launched "Next Legends" - a new youth e-cigarette campaign that aims to educate American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth, ages 12-17, about the harms of vaping. Native youth are more susceptible to tobacco than their non-Native peers, and they demonstrate disproportionately high experimentation and current use of e-cigarettes.
The "Next Legends" campaign uses unique branding and tailored messaging that is specifically designed to educate AI/AN youth on the harmful effects of vaping.
Our Goal: Inspire a new generation of AI/AN teens to live Native strong and vape-free.
Changes over time in Reasons for Quitting Vaping among Treatment-Seeking Young People from 2019-2022
Highlights
- Quitting vaping reasons from young people were collected in 2019 and 2022 and themes were compared.
- Treatment seeking young people who vape reported health as their top reason for quitting in 2022.
- Percentage point increases in current health (+13.9) and mental health concerns (+7.6) were noted.
- Other top reasons for quitting in 2022 include social influence, cost, and freedom from addiction.
- Increase in Other category may indicate emergence of new reasons for quitting not reported in 2019.
From Data to Action: National, State, and Local Efforts to End Menthol and Other Flavored Commercial Tobacco Product Use
CDC's Office on Smoking and Health, in collaboration with public health partners, released a Preventing Chronic Disease Collection, "From Data to Action: National, State & Local Efforts to End Menthol and Other Flavored Commercial Tobacco Product Use."
This collection features a guest editorial and 9 articles that enhance our understanding of public health's role in reducing tobacco-related diseases and deaths, highlight menthol and other flavored tobacco surveillance data, and provide examples of state and local activities implemented in this area. The collection shows public health's role in education communities about evidence-based interventions, including policies, to create healthier and more equitable communities, particularly among those who have been burdened by menthol and flavored tobacco.
Sharing evidence about tobacco interventions that work can help states, tribes, localities, and communities promote and implement equitable policies and resolutions, systems, and environmental changes that can prevent tobacco initiation and support individuals who are ready to quit.
The complete collection is available here:
https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/collections/Ending_Tobacco_Products.htm
Student Winners Announced for 2024 Minnesota Escape the Vape Video Challenge
The Escape the Vape Video Challenge, now in its fourth year, had over 500 students from 38 Minnesota schools creating 30-second videos to educate their peers on the dangers of vaping.
The Real Cost Campaign
Presented by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration educates at-risk teens about the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes and e-cigarettes and using smokeless tobacco.
Youth SMoking and Vaping Prevention
Truth Initiative uses provocative, creative, and innovative approaches to influence culture, inspire youth and young adults, and initiate action. All grounded in research. All to achieve a future where commercial tobacco use and nicotine addiction is a think of the past.
Truth Initiative's brand is ubiquitous in youth culture. Online and in-person, Truth takes on the tobacco industry and exposes the truth about its products. Whether it is through provocative videos, crative digital and social channels, signature Truth-branded merchandise or Truth's presence at popular music and sports events with iconic "Truth Trucks," Truth connects with youth and young adults through the venues they understand and trust.
Visit the Truth Initiative Youth Smoking and Prevention webpage here.
Michigan's LGBT Community: Results of a First-Ever Tobacco Use Assessment Study, including Electronic Devices
This August 2019 webinar from the MDHHS Tobacco Section reviews the results of the first commercial tobacco use assessment study of Michigan's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, including community members' use of e-cigarettes.
World Health Organization
World No Tobacco Day 2024: Youth Step In and Speak Out #TobaccoExposed
World No Tobacco Day is an awareness day to educate on the dangers of commercial tobacco and the tactics the commercial tobacco industry use to market their products.
Color & Culture | Earth Day SOS: Vaping's Environmental & Human Rights Crisis
The growing popularity of electronic cigarettes ("e-cigarettes") and vaping in recent years has raised concerns about their implications on human rights and the environment. While vaping nicotine and THC has its own health and addiction risks, recent studies have brought to light the health risks as well as the moral and environmental consequences of this quickly expanding industry. This article explores the environmental and human rights impact of vaping, focusing on how young people are increasingly avoiding vapes due to concerns about metals, plastic waste, and human rights violations.
CDC: Electronic cigarettes infographic
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Tammy W.'s Tips from Former Smokers Article
Tammy's media release is now available to share. Learn more about Tammy's story and where her story will be shared in the 2024 Tips from Former Smokers campaign here.
Tammy, age 50, lives in Michigan. She is a member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians tribe. She started smoking menthol cigarettes at age 21. Tammy ate healthy, exercised regularly, and ran marathons. But at age 44, Tammy learned she had severe heart disease and needed open-heart surgery. (Photo Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Tammy W.'s Tips from Former Smokers Story
Tammy smoked menthol cigarettes because she thought they were less dangerous than other cigarettes. The then quit smoking when she discovered she was suffering from severe heart disease and needed open heart surgery. Learn more about Tammy's story here: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/tammy-w.html
Cessation Medication Fact Sheet
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flavorshookkids.org
Mission
We have been leading the fight to protect Californians from the tobacco industry for more than 30 years. Because we deserve healthy live, lower healthcare costs, tobacco-free communities, and an environment free of the tobacco industry's toxic waste. And kids should grow up without the tobacco industry poisoning their childhood. Every day, we work to undo the tobacco industry's damage and restore every Californian's right to health and wellness.
Stopflavors.org AND M[END]THOL
About:
Stopfalvors.org and M[END]THOL is a call to action to end the influence of menthol and all flaovred tobacco products on multiple levels. We want to END the use of methol and other flavors as an additive to mask the harmful effects of cigarettes, tobacco, and nicotine. We want to END the sale of these products, particularly in the Black, Hispanic, and LGBT communities. And we want to END the legalization of using menthol and other flavors in any tobacco product.
CDC Menthol Fact Sheets
CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) has released Menthol Fact Sheets for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These fact sheets were developed to help OSH awardees and partners with their programmatic planning and educational efforts, given the significant risk menthol cigarettes pose to public health.
The data presented in the fact sheets include:
- state-specific estimates of the number of adults who currently smoke, usually use menthol cigarettes, and are seriously considering quitting smoking;
- the economic cost of cigarette smoking in the state;
- the estimated number of adults in the state who would quit smoking if menthol cigarettes were no longer available;
- state Medicaid coverage for cessation treatments;
- state smoking quitline utilization; and,
- the amount of funds CDC provides the state for the quitline.
The State Menthol Fact Sheets can be found here: Menthol Fact Sheets | Smoking & Tobacco Use | CDC
More information about the data in the Menthol Fact Sheets can be found here: State Menthol Fact Sheets References and Methodology (cdc.gov).
If you downloaded data from these pages in the past week during our soft release, please revisit these pages and download again as some data have been updated. If you have questions, please contact your OSH public health advisor, as this email account is not monitored regularly.
OSH extends its appreciation to colleagues Anne Hartman (now retired) and Todd Gibson from NCI and to Geoffrey Fong from the University of Waterloo for their assistance in the development of these fact sheets.
Truth Initiative: Flavored Tobacco Policy Resources
From: https://truthinitiative.org/our-top-issues/flavored-tobacco
Truth's Latest Work on Flavors
Truth Initiative focuses significant research, education and engagement efforts on flavored tobacco products, including developing reports and resources on the impact of these products, conducting prevention campaigns and community outreach and calling on the Food and Drug Administration to take needed actions to protect youth.
Michigan Health and Human Services: Tobacco
From: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/chronicdiseases/tobacco
Our Mission
To reduce morbidity and mortality and alleviate the social and economic burden caused by commercial tobacco use in Michigan.
Our Vision
A healthier Michigan, free of all forms of commercial tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure
Our Plan
Our work is guided by the five goals of the Tobacco Section Strategic Plan:
- identify and eliminate tobacco-related health disparities;
- eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke;
- promote tobacco treatment (cessation) among adults and youth;
- prevent initiation among youth and young adults; and
- expand and stabilize tobacco control infrastructure and funding.