Monthly Archives: April 2025

Menthol Tobacco Products

Posted on by
Reply

Menthol is a compound found naturally in peppermint and similar plants, but it can also be made synthetically. In tobacco products like cigarettes, menthol produces a cooling sensation in the throat and lungs, which reduces the harshness of the smoke and makes it easier to inhale—an effect that can increase the likelihood of addiction. Menthol is not limited to cigarettes; it’s also found in e-cigarettes, cigars, hookah, smokeless tobacco, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products. While federal law bans most flavored cigarettes, menthol remains an exception. Nearly all cigarettes sold in the U.S. contain some amount of menthol, but those labeled “menthol” typically contain higher concentrations. In 2021, menthol cigarettes made up 37% of all cigarette sales—the highest level recorded since federal reporting began in 1963.

Key Facts About Menthol in Tobacco Products:

  • Menthol masks harshness:
    Tobacco companies add menthol to make tobacco products feel smoother and more appealing, especially to young people and first-time users.
  • Menthol increases addiction risk:
    Menthol enhances nicotine’s effects on the brain, making tobacco products even more addictive. Some menthol cigarettes now contain higher levels of nicotine.
  • Menthol makes quitting harder:
    People who smoke menthol cigarettes are generally less likely to successfully quit compared to those who smoke non-menthol cigarettes.
  • Targeted marketing:
    Tobacco companies aggressively market menthol products to specific groups, particularly Black communities.
  • Disproportionate impact:
    Higher rates of menthol cigarette use are found among:
    • Young people
    • Racial and ethnic minorities
    • LGBTQ+ individuals
    • Women
    • People with low income
    • People with mental health conditions
  • Solutions for reducing menthol use:
    • Increase access to quitting resources like counseling and medications
    • Implement policies to restrict or reduce menthol tobacco product sales

As menthol continues to dominate the flavored cigarette market, public health experts warn that its smooth and cooling properties can mask the dangers of smoking, especially for new users. Understanding the role of menthol in tobacco products is essential for communities and policymakers working to reduce smoking rates and protect public health—especially among youth and communities disproportionately targeted by menthol marketing.

Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/menthol-tobacco/index.html

About Youth Violence

Posted on by
Reply

Youth violence doesn’t just cause immediate harm—it can have lasting consequences on a young person’s physical, mental, and social well-being. Exposure to violence during adolescence can disrupt healthy development, impair decision-making, and create challenges with learning. It can also lead to difficulty forming positive connections with peers and trusted adults, as well as make it harder to manage stress and emotions over time.

The health and social effects of youth violence are deeply concerning, especially because they are not evenly distributed across all communities. Communities of color, particularly Black or African American youth, are disproportionately affected. Youth violence is linked to a range of negative outcomes including mental health struggles, substance use, obesity, risky sexual behaviors, depression, academic failure, and even suicide. It also increases the risk of future violence—both as a victim and perpetrator. On a broader level, violence strains community systems by raising healthcare costs, reducing property values, impacting school attendance, and limiting access to support services.

Every day, thousands of young people are affected by youth violence across the United States. This crisis touches every type of community—urban, suburban, rural, and tribal. The impact is widespread, both in human suffering and economic cost. Below are some key facts and highlights based on U.S. data:

Key Facts & Highlights:

  • Youth violence is common
    • Homicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for youth ages 10–24.
    • It is the leading cause of death for non-Hispanic Black or African American youth.
    • Over 800 youth are treated in emergency departments each day for assault-related injuries.
  • Some youth are more at risk
    • Sexual minority teens experience more types of violence than their heterosexual peers.
    • Black or African American youth are at higher risk for severe violence, including homicides, aggravated assaults, and fights causing injuries.
  • Youth violence is costly
    • In 2020, youth homicides and assault-related injuries cost an estimated $122 billion.
    • These costs include medical care, lost productivity, and reduced quality of life—not including criminal justice expenses.
  • Impact of COVID-19
    • The economic burden of youth violence increased by 17% from 2019 to 2020.
    • 2019: $105 billion → 2020: $122 billion

Prevention is not only possible—it’s essential. Protecting youth means addressing both the individual and societal factors that increase or decrease the risk of violence. Long-standing systemic inequities, like concentrated poverty, residential segregation, and racism, must be addressed to create safer, healthier environments for all youth. Effective prevention strategies consider the full context in which young people grow up, especially for those from racial and ethnic minority communities. Tackling the root causes of violence is key to breaking cycles of harm and supporting young people in becoming healthy, thriving adults.

Reference:https://www.cdc.gov/youth-violence/about/index.html