THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS BACKING THE F-D-A'S PROPOSAL TO BAN MENTHOL FLAVORED CIGARETTES AND CIGARS.
MENTHOL IS THE LAST FLAVOR THAT'S CURRENTLY ALLOWED IN CIGARETTES AND THE F-D-A SAYS BANNING IT WILL HELP PREVENT PEOPLE FROM PICKING UP THE HABIT AND ULTIMATELY SAVE LIVES. STATE PUBLIC HEALTH TOBACCO CONTROL PROGRAM DIRECTOR GAIL DEVITO AGREES.
SHE SAYS IT'S ALSO A HEALTH EQUITY ISSUE.
DEVITO SAYS THERE IS ALSO AN EQUITY COMPONENT SINCE TEENS, AFRICAN AMERICANS AND MEMBERS OF THE L-G-B-T-Q COMMUNITY ARE MORE LIKELY TO OPT FOR THE MENTHOL VARIETY.