Oakland rally calls for ban on menthol products

by Tabari Morris and Kevin Epps

Oakland — Outside the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building, Carol McGruder, co-chair of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC), addressed a crowd with a powerful message: “We have a powerhouse of individuals speaking today. Everyone here represents organizations committed to fighting for the Black community, studying the issues and understanding their impact. They all agree — removing menthol-laced tobacco products is in the best interest of African Americans and everyone.”

On Jan. 16, community leaders, health advocates and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. united in Oakland, California, to call for a ban on menthol in tobacco products. The rally shed light on the alarming toll of tobacco-related diseases in the African-American community, where 85% of smokers use menthol products.

The fight against menthol

Dr. Gregory Bolden from the Center for Black Health and Equity emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating, “We know that tobacco products cause cancer. We know that menthol helps the poison go down easier. We know that it attracts youth, young people, and we know that for 85% of African-Americans who smoke menthol products, now is the time to actually protect those within the African-American community because this is a social justice issue.” 

The rally was not just about raising awareness but also about mobilizing the community. “We are here because the FDA and the government wants to dismiss a case for something they should have done years ago,” Bolden added, referencing the FDA’s recent rule to eliminate red dye number three, suspected of causing cancer, while tobacco products continue to be sold with menthol.

Community impact and historical context

The event also shed light on the long-standing battle against tobacco use in the African-American community. A speaker from the Center for Black Health Equity noted, “The African-American Tobacco Leadership Council folks along with the center, whose name at the time was the National African-American Tobacco Prevention Network, started this fight over 25 years ago when we held the first menthol conference.” This historical context underscores the persistence of the issue and the community’s commitment to addressing it.

Delta Sigma Theta’s role

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., a public service organization with over 350,000 members, has been at the forefront of this fight. A representative from the sorority highlighted the targeted marketing by tobacco companies, stating, “Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated recognizes that everyone nor every corporate entity that works in the best interest of African-Americans has been specifically targeted by the tobacco industry”[4]. The sorority’s involvement underscores the broader implications of tobacco use as a social justice issue.

Call to action

The rally concluded with a strong call to action, urging attendees to educate themselves and others about the dangers of menthol cigarettes. “We will not be silenced. This has got to end in this country,” declared one speaker, emphasizing the need for collective action to save lives. 

The event also featured personal testimonies, with one speaker sharing, “I lost my father and my older sister who had diabetes … We don’t talk about that. Man, you’re diabetic. You’re running the risk of a second heart attack,” illustrating the personal toll of tobacco-related diseases. 

The rally in Oakland serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing battle against tobacco use, particularly the use of menthol products, which have been shown to exacerbate health disparities in the African-American community. The call for a ban on menthol cigarettes is not just about health but about justice, equity and the right to live free from targeted marketing that promotes addiction and disease.

Tabari Morris, currently pursuing a journalism major at City College of San Francisco, is also undertaking an internship at SF Bay View National Black Newspaper and can be reached at Tabari@sfbayview.com.

Kevin Epps is a Dad, award-winning filmmaker, community activist, author, executive editor of the SF Bay View “National Black Newspaper” and a board member for the SF Bay View Foundation. Reach him at kevin@sfbayview.com or on ig: kevinepps1.

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Source: https://sfbayview.com/2025/02/oakland-rally-calls-for-ban-on-menthol-products/