Committee supports Sen. Duson bill to end the sale of flavored tobacco

AUGUSTA — On Thursday, the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee voted in favor of a bill from Sen. Jill Duson, D-Portland, to end the sale of flavored tobacco in Maine. LD 1215, “An Act to End the Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products,” would protect the health of Maine families and prevent Maine’s youth from developing an addiction to nicotine.

“As a Black American, my family has also paid the price for the tobacco industry’s unfettered, multi-generational targeting of African Americans with menthol-flavored cigarettes and cigars. Three of my siblings started using these products as teenagers and became life-long smokers of menthol cigarette brands like Newport, Kool, Salem, and Virginia Slims. Along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins, over the years they have battled tobacco-related illnesses that result in physical limitations, chronic stress, and a loss of independence,” said Sen. Duson. “Passage of this bill would get one of the deadliest products, marketed specifically to youngsters in Black communities, off the store shelves. Put another way, ending the sale of menthol cigarettes will overwhelmingly benefit Black Americans by reducing smoking and saving lives.”

Flavored tobacco products have been taken off the shelves in five municipalities so far: Bangor, Bar Harbor, Brunswick, Portland and South Portland. LD 1215 would expand this growing support for ending the sale of flavored tobacco to include the entire state. This legislation would add Maine to the list of states whose Legislatures have introduced legislation to end or have already ended the sale of flavored tobacco. As amended, the bill would take effect in 2025.

Tobacco use is linked to numerous diseases including cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking also increases the risk for other serious illnesses, such as tuberculosis. For many, flavored tobacco products are the beginning of a life-long addiction. Young people start using e-cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products, which leads to an addiction to nicotine. Oftentimes, these individuals eventually move from e-cigarettes to smoking.

Kandra Ayotte-Foster, General Manager of The Senator Inn and Spa in Augusta testified in support of the bill.

“Reducing youth tobacco use is a way to is a way to invest in the health, and well-being of our young people. That’s reason enough to act. As a cancer survivor, I wouldn’t wish that struggle on anyone. It’s just an added benefit that if young people aren’t tobacco users, then by the time they enter the workforce, they’ll also be more reliable, and productive employees.”

Tobacco companies have targeted Black communities by disproportionately advertising in Black neighborhoods. In 1950, less than 10% of Black adults smoked menthol cigarettes; today, that statistic has grown to 85% of Black adults. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable deaths among Black Americans. Tobacco-related illnesses claim 45,000 Black lives every year.

In November 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that more than 1 in 4 students use e-cigarettes daily, and 85% of current tobacco users use flavored e-cigarettes. More than 3 million middle and high school students currently use some kind of tobacco product.

LD 1215 now faces votes in Senate and House.

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