NBCSL Action
NBCSL as well as the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council provided important support and information about the ongoing dangers that menthol poses. In Resolution HHS-11-14 SUPPORTING SMOKING PREVENTION AND CESSATION PROGRAMS, NBCSL promotes smoking cessation programs and smoking prevention programs towards ending youth smoking.Legislative Victory
“Menthol Quit Strategies” (SF 1836) was introduced as a stand-alone study to better understand and implement quit strategies for menthol use in the African-American community. The bill would require the commissioner of health along with representatives of the African-American community and other stakeholders to come together and review current attitudes and beliefs related to mentholated cigarette use among African Americans and make recommendations on reducing the disproportionately high use. The bill and its funding were eventually folded into the omnibus HHS funding bill as a grant for a local health organization to work with community based organizations.NBCSL applauds this measure and the efforts to solve problems as complex as the lack of economic development and jobs in certain communities. NBCSL members continue to introduce and develop common sense solutions to these and other problems.