A letter to the editor from the Howard County Tobacco Prevention Coalition
No Menthol Sunday, observed this year on May 17th, is a time to raise awareness about the unique harms of menthol tobacco products and their impact on communities.
Menthol cigarettes are not just another tobacco product. The menthol flavor masks the harshness of tobacco smoke, making it easier for new users, especially youth, to start smoking and become addicted. Studies show that menthol products increase initiation and make quitting more difficult.
This is especially important here in Indiana, where youth tobacco use remains a concern. According to the Indiana Youth Tobacco Survey, thousands of Hoosier students continue to use nicotine products, with flavored products, including menthol, playing a major role in initiation.
For decades, tobacco companies have also heavily marketed menthol products to Black communities, contributing to ongoing health disparities. Menthol products are used at disproportionately higher rates among certain populations, reflecting years of targeted marketing and inequities in health outcomes.
No Menthol Sunday is an opportunity to have conversations, share resources, and support individuals who want to quit. Free, confidential help is available through Quit Now Indiana at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or QuitNowIndiana.com.
By increasing awareness and supporting prevention and cessation efforts, we can work toward a healthier, more equitable future for all Hoosiers.
— Howard County Tobacco Prevention Coalition
Sources: Center for Black Health & Equity; Indiana Youth Tobacco Survey; CDC Tobacco & Health; U.S. Surgeon General’s Reports.