MILWAUKEE — Some Milwaukee retailers have joined in on the national day of observance called "No Menthol Sunday" by not selling any tobacco products.
No Menthol Sunday is led by the National African American Tobacco Prevention Network and supported locally by the Wisconsin African-American Tobacco Prevention Network (WAATPN). It was established to recognize the impacts tobacco has on communities of color.
According to a press release, tobacco kills 45,000 African Americans a year. Among them, the most commonly used tobacco product is menthol cigarettes. Smoking is a major contributor to the three leading causes of death among African Americans: heart disease, diabetes and cancer, according to the CDC. Because of these risks, No Menthol Sunday was born.
Gov. Tony Evers declared May 17, 2020 No Menthol Sunday throughout the State of Wisconsin and Mayor Tom Barrett issued a similar declaration for the City of Milwaukee.
No Menthol Sunday has been celebrated in Milwaukee for the past five years. This year, the day will be recognized through virtual sermons on social media, and other activities.
Pastors and advocates for the effort will share information on how tobacco and vape products impact communities of color, in addition to sharing information on how smoking and vaping can weaken your immune system and put you at higher risks of severe illness or death from COVID-19.
Many retailers in the area have placed signs in their windows about COVID-19 and smoking, in addition to not selling cigarettes or other tobacco products.
“We have been working with our retailers for years and know how much they care about their customers and communities they serve,” said Lorraine Lathen, Director of the WAATPN. “For them not to sell menthol tobacco May 17th in support of No Menthol Sunday, despite facing economic challenges of their own as a result of the pandemic, is a grand gesture that should be commended by everyone.”
The retailers taking part in No Menthol Sunday are as follows:
- A&M Traders, 3100 N 27th
- All For Us, 103 E Keefe Ave
- Best Buy Liquor, 4426 W Capitol Dr.
- BP Locust, 232 W Locust
- Center Street Liquor, 509 W Center Street
- Chuck Smoke Shop, 3004 N 27th St.
- Citgo Gas, 808 W. Atkinson Ave.
- Citgo Gas, 5758 W Appleton Ave
- Community Foods, 2800 N 27th St.
- Corner Liquor, 3500 W Keefe
- Deals Food Market, 5331 W. Center St.
- Dream Foods, 3731 W Center St
- El Rey, 916 S. Cesar Chavez
- El Rey, 1320 W. Burnham St.
- El Rey Plaza, 3524 W Burnham St.
- Fast N Friendly, 311 W. Locust
- Galst Food, 1622 W North Ave
- Gas Depot, 2707 W Burleigh
- JD's Convenience Store, 4402 W Center St
- Lil General, 233 W Center St
- Magic Food, 2879 N 16th St
- Mallett Food, 3501 N 14th St.
- New Rainbow Food, 1433 W North Ave
- Quick Food Market, 3882 W Center St.
- Quick Pick, 1200 E. Howard Ave.
- Singh Gas, 1909 W Hopkins St.
- Singh Gas, 1545 W Hopkins St.
- Star Light Mini Mart, 5035 W Center St.
- Stark Food III, 6315 W Fond Du Lac Ave
- Stowers BP, 807 W Atkinson
- Sunshine Food Market, 103 E Keefe Ave
- Superior Foods, 1535 W North Ave
- Teutonia Wine and Liquors, 2301 W Capitol Dr.
- V&T Liquor, 918 W Burleigh
- Value Food And Liquor, 3160 N 27TH ST
- Mobil, 1203 E Oklahoma Ave
- BP Gas, 1127 E Oklahoma Ave
- Quick Pick, 3500 South 13th Street
- Mi Pais, 1401 W. Greenfield
- ABC Foods, 1143 S. 22nd St.
- El Charro, 1207 S. Cesar E. Chavez Dr.
- Clark, 12th and North
