ACS CAN Stresses the Importance of Prohibiting the Sale of All Flavors of All Tobacco Products After Gov. Murphy Signs Bill Restricting the Sale of Flavored E-cigarettes

TRENTON, NJ – January 21, 2020 – Gov. Murphy has enacted legislation that restricts the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New Jersey Government Relations Director Samantha DeAlmeida released the following statement:

“This measure only prohibits the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and not all tobacco products. This will leave far too many New Jerseyans at risk. The fiscal and human toll of tobacco use is unacceptably high in this state. The evidence is clear – flavors hook kids. We must act to protect all kids and adults in our state.

“Flavored tobacco products are used by the tobacco industry to lure kids into a lifetime of addiction. One hundred and forty-three thousand kids who are alive now in New Jersey will die prematurely as a result of smoking. More than 80% of kids who use tobacco start with a flavored product. In this country, 54% of teens who smoke use menthol cigarettes. For African-American teens who smoke, that figure rises to 70%.  Big Tobacco has shamelessly targeted communities of color, the LGBT community and low socioeconomic neighborhoods with predatory marketing of menthol products for decades. Now is the time to protect all kids from a lifetime of addiction.

“We look forward to working with Gov. Murphy and the legislature to pass and enact comprehensive legislation that restricts the sale of all flavored tobacco products to protect all New Jerseyans.”

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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.