City officials and organizers gathered Wednesday for a renewed push outside of City Hall to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes in New York City.
Representatives from Menthol Kills NYC were joined by the NAACP and City Council Member Rita Joseph looking to gain support for Intro 527, which would ban the sale of menthol tobacco products in the city.
Those who spoke during the event say every day that menthol tobacco products are sold in the city is another day a young person can find themselves addicted. Speakers stressed that menthol products are often designed to attract young Black and brown people.
Opponents of a menthol tobacco ban say it would be another thing that could put city residents and police at odds. This bill would only be enforced against retailers, not users.