Statement of Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2021
CONTACT: John Schachter, 202-271-8698

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the release today of her budget change package supporting an end to the sale of all flavored tobacco products, Maine Gov. Janet Mills continues her outstanding leadership in the fight to protect kids from Big Tobacco. Flavored e-cigarettes, flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes are addicting a new generation of kids and threaten to reverse the enormous progress we have made in reducing youth tobacco use. We applaud Gov. Mills for standing up for Maine’s kids and public health against the tobacco industry.

Flavored products have long been a favorite tobacco industry strategy for targeting kids, the LGBTQ community, Black Americans and other communities of color. We look forward to working with Gov. Mills and legislative leaders to ensure all Maine residents are protected from the dangers of flavored tobacco.