Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) to undertake a series of initiatives aimed at curtailing the use of menthol cigarettes by youth in Chicago. “Recognizing and reducing the impact of menthol cigarettes on the lives of our youth is an essential part of building a healthier Chicago and increasing the quality of life for all residents across the City,” said Mayor Emanuel.

In response to the Mayor’s call for action on this critical issue, the Chicago Board of Health and CDPH will host a series of town hall meetings to identify innovative, community-driven solutions to reduce menthol cigarette use among Chicago’s youth. This forum will engage residents and national content experts in conversation to reduce this preventable addiction before it becomes part of a young person’s life. In addition to the town hall meetings, CDPH is soliciting comments from Chicago residents via their email at healthchicago@cityofchicago.org.

In a letter to Board of Health president, Dr. Carolyn Lopez, Mayor Emanuel highlighted the particular dangers menthol cigarettes pose to young people. Specifically, among African American youth ages 12-17 who smoke, 72 percent use menthol cigarettes and among LGBT youth, 71 percent use menthol. Furthermore, if smokers begin the habit before age 18, they are 75 percent more likely to smoke as adults.

Derived from the peppermint plant, menthol provides a minty flavor and cooling sensation in cigarettes, covering up the tobacco taste and reducing the throat irritation associated with smoking, particularly among first-time users.

“Big tobacco is using menthol flavored cigarettes to turn our children into lifelong addicts,” Dr. Lopez said in response to the letter. “The Board of Health stands ready to work with Mayor Emanuel and our community to find new solutions to help our children. Engaging the residents of Chicago in this process will assist CDPH in finding solutions to this preventable issue.” After receiving Mayor Emanuel’s letter, Dr. Lopez indicated that she plans to host four town hall meetings from August to September to gather feedback and ideas from content experts and Chicago residents, including Chicago’s African American, Latino and LGBT communities. The first meeting will be in conjunction with the monthly Chicago Board of Health meeting on August 21. Following the town hall meetings, the Board of Health and CDPH will release a comprehensive report detailing the feedback from participants. The report will also include youth feedback and policy recommendations from public health professionals, scientists and other content experts to help Mayor Emanuel create a more comprehensive menthol tobacco abatement strategy.