In the midst of a pandemic that has jeopardized small businesses across the country, more than 40 tobacco retailers in Milwaukee risked a loss of sales by not selling menthol tobacco products Sunday, May 17, as part of “No Menthol Sunday.”
“No Menthol Sunday,” was a national day of observance led by the National African American Tobacco Prevention Network and supported locally by the Wisconsin African-American Tobacco Prevention Network (WAATPN), an interfaith and community-led effort to raise awareness about the impact of tobacco use on communities of color.
The day was marked this year through virtual sermons, on social media, and through other activities. Faith leaders and others shared information on how menthol tobacco has been historically targeted to communities of color, how smoking and vaping can weaken your immune system and put you at higher risks of severe illness or death from COVID-19, and discuss other ways that flavored tobacco such as menthol threatens health.
Retailers, who have also supported the WAATPN’s “No Singles/No Loosies” campaign to end the sale of single cigarettes in Milwaukee, jumped on board to this effort to raise awareness on tobacco’s impact on health by posting signs in their storefronts warning residents about COVID-19 related dangers for smokers and providing info on where they can access free help to quit, in addition to not selling tobacco last Sunday.
No Menthol Sunday has been celebrated in Milwaukee for the past five years, last year reaching over 4,000 congregants. This year it’s gone statewide with activities planned in Racine, Kenosha, Madison, Beloit and in Walworth County. This is the first year that tobacco retailers have participated.
Gov. Tony Evers issued a proclamation declaring last Sunday, “No Menthol Sunday” throughout the State of Wisconsin; and Mayor Tom Barrett issued a similar proclamation for the City of Milwaukee.
Tobacco kills 45,000 African Americans a year. The most commonly used tobacco product among African Americans is menthol cigarettes. Smoking is a major contributor to the three leading causes of death among African Americans, heart disease, diabetes and cancer, according to the CDC.
In Wisconsin, the smoking rate for African Americans is 26%, a much higher rate than the state’s general adult population (16%). Menthol, a product used by 9 of 10 African American adult smokers in Wisconsin, is a peppermint flavored anesthetic tobacco companies added to reduce the harshness of cigarettes and other tobacco products. The Menthol additive makes it easier to start and harder to quit. Although African Americans start smoking at a later age and smoke less, they are more likely to die from tobacco use, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
The WAATPN has led local efforts to spread awareness about menthol and other tobacco products and have taken the unique approach of engaging tobacco retailers to help share that message.
“We have been working with our retailers for years and know how much they care about their customers and communities they serve,” said Lorraine Lathen, Director of the WAATPN. “For them not to sell menthol tobacco May 17th in support of No Menthol Sunday, despite facing economic challenges of their own as a result of the pandemic, is a grand gesture that should be commended by everyone.”
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