In Maine, nearly 1 in 5 adults smoke, the highest in the Northeast. The rate in Penobscot County is higher than the state average, and is the third highest of all Maine counties. Even worse, overall youth tobacco use in Maine is growing exponentially, with nearly 1 in 3 high school students using some form of tobacco product in the last 30 days.

The tobacco industry has pushed flavored tobacco products to kids in particular, and it’s not by accident. They know that 95% of smokers begin the habit before they turn 21, and that eight in ten children who use tobacco begin with flavored products, which mask the harshness of traditional tobacco smoke.

Flavors are a marketing weapon used by tobacco manufacturers to target youth and young people to a lifetime of addiction. Products with flavors like cherry, grape, cotton candy, and gummy bear are clearly not aimed at established, adult tobacco users and years of tobacco industry documents confirm the intended use of flavors to target youth. Furthermore, youth report flavors are a leading reason they use tobacco products and perceive flavored products as less harmful.

Bangor has a history of leading when it comes to tobacco issues, and it should do so again. Please join us in asking the Bangor City Council to pass an ordinance ending the sale of flavored tobacco.