COLUMBUS, OH – Dec.7, 2022 – On Monday, Dec. 12, the Columbus City Council is expected to vote on a recently introduced ordinance to eliminate the sale of flavored tobacco and vape products. Council has hosted multiple public hearings and small business stakeholder meetings to educate shop owners on the proposed changes.
Flavored e-cigarettes are driving the youth e-cigarette epidemic. In 2020, 82.9% of current youth e-cigarette users reported the use of flavored e-cigarettes. In 2019, 97% of youth e- cigarette users report using a flavored product in the past month, and 70% cite flavors as a key reason for their use.
“After several decades of irrefutable science regarding its harms, nationwide tobacco use began its appropriate decline. Sadly, our rural and urban populations did not experience this healthcare revolution, further exacerbating health inequalities,” says B.J. Hicks MD, vascular neurologist and co-director, Comprehensive Stroke Program, OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, and a board member of the Central Ohio American Heart Association. “Recently we have witnessed a meteoric rise in flavored tobacco use by our youth, leading us to this important proposal. The harms of early tobacco use are clear and have been shared with the Council in detail. I urge the Council to heed the words of myself, and my health care colleagues, when we all say in unison, ‘Just Ban It!’”
With more than 15,000 different flavors available, more than eight in 10 youth who have used tobacco products started with flavored products. Additionally, health disparities continue to increase in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods where menthol cigarettes are marketed extensively. Menthol makes cigarettes easier to smoke and harder to quit and nearly 65% of young menthol smokers say they would quit if menthol cigarettes were banned. Of menthol cigarette smokers aged 12+, nearly 85% are black and 47% Hispanic compared to 29% being white.
The ordinance is expected to include an exemption for flavored hookah if used on-site in hookah lounges, as defined by the ordinance. The ordinance will take effect within 30 days of passage and approval by Mayor Ginther.
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About the American Stroke Association
The American Stroke Association is a relentless force for a world with fewer strokes and longer, healthier lives. We team with millions of volunteers and donors to ensure equitable health and stroke care in all communities. We work to prevent, treat and beat stroke by funding innovative research, fighting for the public’s health, and providing lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based association was created in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit stroke.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Connect with the American Heart Association via heart.org, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
For Media Inquiries:
Contact Brianne Ballard,Columbus AHA Communications Director: brianne.ballard@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org