HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/21/2020 Item 14, Castro
Tonikian, Victoria
From:Primo J. Castro <primo.castro@cancer.org>
Sent:Tuesday, January
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Letter of Support: 1/21/2020 - Agenda Item #14
Attachments:09302019 - San Luis Obispo City - Flavor Ban.pdf
Dear Mayor and Council,
We would like to re-submit the following letter of support into the record re the item in tonight’s discussion.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Primo
Primo J. Castro, MPA
Los Angeles Government Relations Director
626.243.5614 | m: 909.677.0600 | f: 626.568.2888
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.
99 S Lake Ave Suite 400
Pasadena, CA 91101
fightcancer.org | 1.800.227.2345
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1
CancerAction
Net®
September 30, 2019
The Honorable Heidi Harmon
Mayor, City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
RE: Tobacco Flavor Ban
Dear Mayor Harmon and Council:
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is committed to protecting
the health and well-being of the residents of San Luis Obispo through evidence -based policy and
legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN supports
efforts to reduce youth tobacco use and eliminating the sale of flavored tobacco products is an
important part of a comprehensive approach to preventing youth from ever beginning a deadly
addiction to tobacco. We support eliminating the sale of all flavored tobacco products,
including menthol cigarettes, within the city of San Luis Obispo, and without exemptions.
Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. The 2014 U.S. Surgeon
General's report found that more than 43 million Americans still smoke. It is estimated that
tobacco use will cause 480,000 deaths this year in the U.S. Both opponents of smoking and
purveyors of cigarettes have long recognized the significance of adolescence as the period during
which smoking behaviors are typically developed. National data show that about 95 percent of
adult tobacco users begin smoking before the age of 21, and most begin with a flavored product.
In 2009, Congress prohibited the sale of cigarettes with flavors other than tobacco or menthol.
Tobacco companies responded by expanding the types of non -cigarette tobacco products they
offer, and now make most of those products available in a growing array of kid -friendly flavors.
Little cigars, smokeless tobacco, hookah, and e-cigarettes are marketed in a wide variety of
candy flavors with colorful packaging and deceptive names that appeal to youth.
Adolescents are still going through critical periods of brain growth and development and are
especially vulnerable to the toxic effects of nicotine. A study published in the journal,
Pediatrics, found that the earlier youth are exposed to nicotine, the less likely they will be able to
quit smoking. Tobacco companies have a long history of marketing to vulnerable populations,
and target youth with imagery and by marketing candy and fruit flavored tobacco. The
anesthetizing effects of menthol masks the harshness of tobacco, making it more appealing to
beginning smokers, and menthol smokers show greater dependence, and are less likely to quit
than non -menthol smokers. Postponing youth experimentation and initiation can help reduce the
number of youths who will ever begin smoking.
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
99 S. Lake Avenue, Suite 400 •Pasadena, CA 91101
626.243.6614 • FAX: 626.668.2888• Primo.tastro@Cancer.orre
Removing flavored tobacco is also a social justice issue. Tobacco companies have aggressively
marketed menthol to youth in communities of color, the LGBT community, and those in low
income neighborhoods. These are the same communities who already bear a greater burden of
health disparities and often have less access to healthcare. Increasing tobacco use in these
communities increases the health disparities among the most vulnerable in our communities.
Presently, more than 30 jurisdictions in places as diverse as Yolo County, Contra Costa County,
and the cities of Beverly Hills and Richmond have passed strong policies.
While cigarette smoking has declined in recent years, use of menthol and other flavored products
have continued to increase, especially among young people and beginning smokers. We strongly
encourage this council to choose the strongest youth protections available by prohibiting the
citywide sale of flavored tobacco products. Taking this important public health step will help to
prevent young people in San Luis Obispo from ever beginning this deadly addiction, as well as
help to support those who are trying to quit.
Sincerely,
Government Relations
n Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Cancer Society Cancer Acdan Network
99 S. Lake Avenue, Suite 400 •Pasadena, CA 91101
fi26.243.6614 •FAX: 626.668.2888• Primo.Castrono Cancer.ora