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Each year, on the third Sunday in May, No Menthol Sunday serves as a powerful nationwide call to action, led by The Center for Black Health & Equity. This day of observance brings together faith leaders, public health advocates, and community members to confront a pressing issue: the devastating impact of menthol tobacco products on Black communities.
Menthol, a minty additive that makes cigarettes easier to start and harder to quit, is used by more than 85% of Black smokers. That’s not by chance. For decades, the tobacco industry has aggressively marketed menthols to Black neighborhoods, discounting prices, targeting ads, and sponsoring cultural events to promote their products. These predatory tactics have resulted in higher rates of addiction and tobacco-related disease in Black communities.
In addition to cigarettes, many vapes and nicotine pouches also feature menthol flavoring. These newer products are particularly enticing to young people.
While policy decisions—like the delayed federal ban on menthol cigarettes—can be disheartening, No Menthol Sunday empowers communities to press forward, hold leaders accountable, and build momentum at the local level to protect our health.
No Menthol Sunday is more than a day, it's a movement for health equity and restorative justice. Tobacco addiction among Black Americans isn’t just a health issue; it's a direct result of systemic racism and corporate exploitation. For too long, the tobacco industry has profited from illness and death in our communities. They get richer, while we get sicker. It’s time for that to change!
Whether you're a pastor, a parent, a youth leader, or a public health professional, your voice matters in this fight.
There are several ways to get involved:
