HomeMy WebLinkAbout13-042 Resolution -support of FDARESOLUTION 13 -042
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
IN SUPPORT OF FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) REGULATION OF MENTHOL IN
CIGARETTES AND FLAVORING IN OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS
WHEREAS, 44% of children aged 12 -17 who smoke, 51% of Asian Americans and Latinos, 79% of
African Americans, and 37 % of white high school -aged smokers use menthol cigarettes; and
WHEREAS, mentholated and flavored products have been shown to be "starter" products for youth who
begin smoking; and
WHEREAS, the FDA has the authority to issue product standards to promote public health, which can
include eliminating or reducing certain ingredients; and
WHEREAS, the FDA already prohibits cigarettes from being candy, fruit, and spice flavored, because
these flavors make tobacco products especially appealing to youth and can lead to a lifetime of tobacco addiction;
and
WHEREAS, menthol was expressly exempted fro the ban on characterizing flavors in cigarettes; and
WHEREAS, other tobacco products, including but not limited to smokeless tobacco, cigars, hookah
tobacco, and dissolvable tobacco products, are not included in the ban on candy, fruit, spice or other
characterizing flavors; and
WHEREAS, virtually all cigarettes contain at least some menthol to make cigarettes more palatable; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga is committed to the health and wellbeing of its residents and is
particularly concerned about preventing tobacco use among youth; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Saratoga does hereby
encourage and support action by the FDA to better regulate the use of menthol in cigarettes and other flavored
tobacco products in the United States.
The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Saratoga City Council
held on the 191h day of June 2013 by the following vote:
AYES: Council Member Chuck Page, Manny Cappello, Howard Miller, Vice Mayor Emily
Lo, Mayor Jill Hunter
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None /
Attest:
� lc�
Cryst Bothelio, City Clerk