brian king tobacco Keynote: Federal cuts to anti-tobacco efforts

The 50-cents-per-pack hike to 57 cents marked the first such increase in 33 years and still ranked near the bottom nationally at 44th, according to the nonprofit Tax Foundation, an independent policy group

Big Tobacco targets African-American neighborhoods with excessive in-store advertising, promotional giveaways and discounts for menthol products, as well as sponsorship and support of cultural events and initiatives, Lawrence said

For example, disposable e-cigarettes, which were exempted from the partial flavor restrictions FDA enacted in January 2020, have skyrocketed in popularity

While many of the serious recent cases have been linked to the use of illicit marijuana or nicotine pods, the crisis has put the entire industry on its haunches