California Black Media

Banning Menthol Cigarettes: California-Based Advocacy Group Joins Suit Against Federal Govt.

A California based non-governmental organization, The African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC), has joined two other public health advocacy groups in a second lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the agency’s inaction on issuing a final rule banning menthol cigarettes.

Published

4 months ago

June 7, 2024

Oakland Post

“Menthol cigarettes have had a devastating and disproportionate impact on the health of Black Americans,” said Yolanda Lawson, President of the NMA. “Smoking related diseases are the number one cause of death in the Black community.”

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

The suit, filed by Christopher Leung of Leung Law, PLLC on behalf of the AATCLC, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and the National Medical Association (NMA) comes more than seven months after the FDA’s established date for finalizing a new rule against menthol cigarettes.

“We are a group of Californians, although we have expanded now. We were formed in 2008 to inform and direct the activities of commercial tobacco control and prevention as they affect African Americans and African immigrants in this country,” said Carol McGruder, co-chair of the AATCLC.

McGruder was speaking during a press briefing April 2 organized to announce the lawsuit. with representatives from the ASH, NMA and other organizations.

The lawsuit also follows the FDA’s 15-year delay in creating national policy that would ban cigarettes made with compound menthol, a minty substance that cigarette makers infuse into their tobacco products, making them more addictive and harmful.

Despite significant reductions in overall smoking rates in the US, smoking among poor, less educated and marginalized groups remains high. Every year, 45,000 Black Americans prematurely die from tobacco-caused diseases. An estimated 85% of them smoked menthol cigarettes.

“This disproportionate use of menthol cigarettes among Black Americans is not a coincidence,” Dr. Yerger continued. “I was one of the first tobacco documents researchers out of UCSF who exposed the tobacco industry’s systematic, predatory marketing schemes to dump highly concentrated menthol cigarette marketing into urban inner-city areas.”

In 2011, the FDA’s own scientific advisory committee concluded that the “Removal of menthol cigarettes from the marketplace would benefit public health in the United States.”

If the sale of menthol-flavored cigarettes is indeed banned, the FDA projects a 15.1% drop in smoking within 40 years, which would help save between 324,000 to 654,000 lives.

As a result of the Plaintiffs’ first lawsuit, the FDA made the landmark determination to add menthol to the list of banned characterizing flavors in cigarettes.

On the contrary, tobacco-aligned groups in the past have argued that banning menthol cigarettes would be impact federal and state budgets with the loss of nearly $6.6 billion in cigarette sales taxes. Menthol cigarettes account for over one-third of the U.S. cigarette market.

Other arguments from tobacco-backed groups include unintended consequences of a ban such as increased policing in Black and Brown communities due to contraband cigarettes. However, health advocates have dismissed this claim stating the ban would apply to companies that make or sell menthol cigarettes, not individual smokers.

By law, the United States has two months to respond to the lawsuit. The feds can respond to it or file a motion to dismiss.

If the suit is successful, the FDA would have 90 days to make a final ruling.

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California Black Media

Report: Number of Black Students in Dual Enrollment Programs Decline

Participation in dual enrollment high school and community college programs has increased among students in California. However, the percentage of Black and Latino high school students enrolled in dual enrollment programs has decreased in recent years, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of California Davis. California policymakers and educators are integrating dual enrollment as a key mechanism for improving educational attainment, ensuring students have equal access to postsecondary opportunities. State legislators increased funding to expand dual enrollment programs under Assembly Bill 288 authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), a law that helps facilitate collaboration between high schools and community colleges.

Published

2 days ago

October 15, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California policymakers and educators are integrating dual enrollment as a key mechanism for improving educational attainment, ensuring students have equal access to postsecondary opportunities. State legislators increased funding to expand dual enrollment programs under Assembly Bill 288 authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), a law that helps facilitate collaboration between high schools and community colleges. California made an annual investment of $200 million for high school students. The state also allocated $10 million for the STEM Pathways Grant program that supports creating 6-year programs for students to graduate with a high school diploma and an associate degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics within 2 years of graduating high school.

Despite California’s investment over the years, the study revealed that the number of Black and Latino high school students enrolled in community college courses has declined since 2020. The enrollment gap between Asian-Pacific Islander students, who have the highest participation rate, and Black students doubled from 7 % in 2019 to 14.5% in 2022.

“For students whose life circumstances, such as economic hardship, may inhibit educational pursuits, opportunities to enroll in community college while in high school may be less accessible,” researchers stated.

Participation rates in dual enrollment programs are lower among socioeconomically disadvantaged students, English learners, youth in foster care, and students with disabilities compared to their counterparts. The research study attributed the steady decline in enrollment rates to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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California Black Media

California Community Colleges Launch Season 2 of “EDUCATE. ELEVATE” for Black Student Success

The California Community Colleges’ ICanGoToCollege.com campaign has launched the second season of its EDUCATE. ELEVATE. podcast series, which focuses on promoting Black student enrollment and retention. Season 1 had over 60,000 listeners, and the new season aims to build on this success by featuring inspiring student stories and expert advice.

Published

2 days ago

October 15, 2024

Oakland Post

Danny Morrison, host of ICanGoToCollege.com, EDUCATE. ELEVATE. podcast

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The first episode of the new season brings together former foster youth Kevion Louis-Hernandez, Mt. San Antonio College alum; and Junely Merwin, a NextUp Project Expert, with host Danny Morrison. The conversation explores the challenges foster youth face and highlights the transformative impact of community college programs like NextUp, which help students overcome obstacles to reach their higher education and career goals.

“This season continues our commitment to addressing barriers faced by Black students and increasing equitable access to higher education,” said Paige Marlatt Dorr, Director of Communications and Marketing for California Community Colleges.

EDUCATE. ELEVATE. is part of a broader initiative to reverse the significant enrollment declines experienced by Black students during the pandemic. Black student enrollment dropped by 25% system-wide between 2019 and 2022, but outreach efforts and support services have helped increase enrollment by nearly 15% over the last two years, bringing the total to almost 114,000 Black students in the 2023-24 academic year.

The podcast series features candid discussions on overcoming systemic barriers, educational resources, and strategies for student success. Season 2 offers a new visual style and will release episodes every two to three weeks through May 2025.

To listen to the podcast and learn more, visit the Black Student Success page at ICanGoToCollege.com

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California Black Media

California Launches New Homepage @ CA.gov

On Oct .4, the Governor’s office announced that the state has launched a new revamped digital portal at CA.gov where Californians have access to “hundreds of state services and programs.” “This overhaul is the latest milestone in the state’s ongoing digital strategy to improve user experience, accessibility, and service delivery for millions of Californians,” read a press release.

Published

2 days ago

October 15, 2024

Oakland Post

Courtesy of CA.gov

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

On Oct .4, the Governor’s office announced that the state has launched a new revamped digital portal at CA.gov where Californians have access to “hundreds of state services and programs.”

“This overhaul is the latest milestone in the state’s ongoing digital strategy to improve user experience, accessibility, and service delivery for millions of Californians,” read a press release.

“A big part of the work we’re doing to build a “California for All” is rooted in how accessible our government is to the people. As part of our ongoing work to connect people to their government, today we’re introducing a new CA.gov — California’s ‘homepage’ that serves as a portal to state services and programs,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom.

State Chief Information Officer and California Technology Department Director Liana Bailey-Crimmin said, “We will continue to ensure timely and accurate government information is just a click away. Whether you’re looking for assistance with essential services or want to learn about what the Golden State is doing for climate action, new business development, or California government – this site has it.”

“Using advanced technology, the site has a greatly improved search feature, works well on mobile devices and meets modern web standards. The previous version of CA.gov was launched in 2017, and as user needs and technology evolved, the state implemented the work to revamp it,” Bailey-Crimmin added.