The Advocate

Thank you to everyone who came out in solidarity with neighbors, students, public health advocates, and local leaders across San Leandro to push for ending the sale of menthol cigarettes and similar products in our community!   We had thirty-one (31) speakers who shared public comment at the Rules Committee in support of ending the sale of menthol cigarettes, including representation from: 16 residents, 7 San Leandro youth (one of whom got permission to step out of class to give public comment!), 5 San Leandro-based community-based organizations, and 11 public health/coalition partners.   Because of your voices, the City Council’s Rules Committee unanimously voted to direct city staff to move forward with drafting a Tobacco Retail License (TRL) ordinance update that ends the sale of menthol cigarettes with a January 2023 implementation date. This draft is expected to return directly to the full City Council in January 2022. At that January meeting, discussion can happen regard...

(Source) The title really tells you everything you need to know about what this post is for. Menthol tobacco products kill thousands of people every year and leave even more with lifelong debilitating illnesses. Even if we weren't in the midst of the most deadly pandemic in modern history fueled by a respiratory-based illness, this would still be the right thing to do. Here's how you can help: 1. Youth Organizers from both San Leandro and Union City will be hosting a joint press event and rally against Big Tobacco on Tuesday, August 10th at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park 1105 Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro. Please feel free to circulate the attached flyer and invite others to join this youth-led event.   2. The African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council will be hosting a San Leandro “Why Menthol? Why Now?” Virtual Community Event on Wednesday, September 1st from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. San Leandro organizations will be co-hosting, including Unity in the Community, SLATE, and t...