Tobacco / Menthol Ban
We are continuing the work of advocating for people by eliminating false information regarding the physical and social safety of menthol cigarettes.
No Menthol Buffalo
Protecting our communities. Advancing health equity.
A community-driven campaign for a healthier Buffalo.
About the Campaign
No Menthol Buffalo is a community-driven public health campaign working to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products in Buffalo. Led by a coalition of community advocates, public health professionals, faith leaders, researchers, and partner organizations, the campaign seeks to address the tobacco industry's targeted marketing of these products and its disproportionate impact on Black communities and other populations.
Menthol creates a cooling sensation that can make tobacco smoke feel less harsh, while evidence shows that menthol can contribute to smoking initiation and make quitting more difficult. These products are not simply a matter of personal preference. Their marketing and use are part of a broader public health and health equity issue.
Why It Matters
Tobacco-related illness remains a preventable cause of death, and the burden is not shared equally. The tobacco industry has historically marketed menthol products heavily to Black communities, young people, and other populations. Addressing these inequities requires more than education alone. It also requires community leadership and policies that protect future generations.
A 2024 analysis from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center estimated that eliminating menthol cigarette sales in Buffalo could prevent 734 premature deaths, including 480 among Black residents. Roswell Park Researchers Highlight Potential Impacts of Eliminating Menthol Cigarette Sales in Buffalo | Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center - Buffalo, NY
The goal is to help ensure that Buffalo residents have the information, resources, and policy protections needed to build healthier futures.
View Roswell Park Item
Community Engagement and Advocacy
Sustainable policy change starts with an informed and engaged community. No Menthol Buffalo combines public education with opportunities for residents to raise their voices and participate in local advocacy.
BCHE and its partners have contributed to this work through:
- Community education: Sharing information about menthol and flavored tobacco products, targeted marketing, and tobacco-related health inequities.
- Youth engagement: Creating opportunities for young people to learn about tobacco marketing and contribute their perspectives to the conversation.
- Faith and neighborhood outreach: Engaging trusted community spaces and local leaders to broaden awareness and encourage action.
- Public advocacy: Supporting community voices, public awareness efforts, and engagement with Buffalo's elected officials.
- Coalition-building: Working alongside community advocates, health organizations, researchers, and other partners to advance a shared goal.
Jazz & Justice: Reclaiming the Sound
Public health advocacy can happen beyond a meeting room or public hearing. Jazz & Justice: Reclaiming the Sound brings community members together through music, culture, and conversation while creating space to raise awareness about menthol tobacco and the impact of targeted marketing.
Through this community-centered approach, the campaign connects health education with the cultural strengths, relationships, and creativity that already exist in Buffalo. This annual event, the first of its kind regionally, provides another way for residents to engage with the issue, learn about the campaign, and take action.
The Road to Policy Change
The campaign's work has included community education, public awareness, coalition advocacy, and efforts to advance local policy. While important milestones have been reached, the proposed policy change has not yet been fully enacted.
The timeline below highlights key moments in the campaign's development and ongoing advocacy.
Be Part of the Movement
Protecting community health takes collective action. Residents can help by learning about the issue, sharing credible information, participating in community events, and contacting local decision-makers to support policies that reduce the impact of menthol and flavored tobacco products.
Together, we can help build a healthier future for Buffalo.
Take Action
Campaign Milestones
2024 — No Menthol Buffalo Campaign Launches
No Menthol Buffalo launches as a community-driven effort to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products in Buffalo. The campaign brings together community advocates, public health professionals, and partner organizations to address tobacco-related health inequities and advance local policy change.
2024 — Community Education and Public Advocacy Expand
Through community outreach, faith-based engagement, and public education, campaign partners work to increase awareness of menthol tobacco and its disproportionate impact on Black communities. Residents are encouraged to engage with local decision-makers and support policy change.
2025 — Youth Engagement and Community Awareness
BCHE and community partners support efforts to bring the conversation about menthol tobacco, targeted marketing, and health equity to young people and the broader Buffalo community. Activities include youth engagement, educational outreach, and public awareness efforts that help connect the issue to the experiences of local residents.
June 2025 — BCHE Launches Jazz & Justice: Reclaiming the Sound
The Buffalo Center for Health Equity extends its community engagement work around No Menthol Buffalo by creating Jazz & Justice: Reclaiming the Sound, an innovative community event that brings together live jazz, culture, and public health advocacy. By taking the conversation beyond traditional meetings and public hearings, BCHE creates a welcoming space for residents to connect, learn about the impact of menthol tobacco, and engage with the movement for policy change.
June 2025 — Local Policy Advocacy Advances
Campaign advocates continue pressing Buffalo's Common Council to advance policy addressing menthol and flavored tobacco products. Community voices, public education, and coalition advocacy help sustain attention on the need for action.
June 2026 — Jazz & Justice II: Reclaiming the Sound
Building on the inaugural event's momentum, BCHE leads the second annual Jazz & Justice gathering, continuing to use music, culture, and community connection as avenues for public health engagement. The event reinforces BCHE's commitment to bringing residents into the conversation around menthol tobacco, supporting community-driven advocacy, and creating meaningful opportunities to take action.
2026 — Advocacy Continues at Buffalo City Hall
Community advocates and public health partners continue calling for action on the proposed policy. Through public testimony, continued engagement with elected officials, and community mobilization, the effort to advance policy change remains active.