In a day and age when we are constantly bombarded by messages from several different directions and channels, it is critical for public health initiatives to find new ways to break through the noise and provide education, care and support. This includes identifying the places where people gather and share information in a comfortable and trusted public setting.

Barbershops have become hubs for discussions and important conversations about the consequences of decisions and actions that can have a major impact on health. With their role in the Black community, barbershops can address stigmas, raise awareness and encourage customers to quit smoking.

This can include working with these pillars of the Black community for educating about the health risks posed by menthol cigarettes, addressing health disparities and increasing understanding of the resources available when it is time to quit.

Tobacco Free Florida created In The Cut as a new way to connect with audiences in and through these trusted community centers.

Consider:

• As over one-third of all cigarettes sold in the United States (37%) are menthol, reducing this category of use would significantly lower the nation’s overall smoking rate.
• Menthol’s market share – the percentage of total cigarette sale – has never been higher than it is today.
• Among adult smokers in our state, more than 8 out of 10 (82.5%) of Black, non-Hispanic smokers use menthol cigarettes. This compares to fewer than 3 out of 10 (28.1%) of white, non-Hispanic smokers.
• Menthol makes cigarette smoking easier to start and harder to quit. Menthol in cigarettes creates a cooling sensation when the user inhales, making smoke feel less harsh.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing a ban on menthol, and has studied the effect removing menthol cigarettes from sale would have on saving lives. It concluded the move would save between 324,000 and 654,000 lives over the next 40 years. The proposal would be focused on the manufacture and sale of menthol cigarettes, and would not criminalize individuals for purchasing, using, or possessing menthol tobacco products.

Identifying an issue is only the first step, progress must include supporting positive change. This can include barbers sharing quit tips and directing customers to the free support available from Tobacco Free Florida.

Sharing effective quit tips at the time someone is ready to quit can make the difference in a quit attempt ultimately being a success.

Quit tips can include:

An important message for barbershops to communicate is that while many people quit successfully on their own, for many a quit attempt becomes a success with help. This help can be in the form of things like Phone Quit, Group Quit and Web Quit services available from Tobacco Free Florida. Always seek the guidance of a health care professional to help with any questions regarding quitting tobacco and/or nicotine.

The barbershop is a place to come together and discuss health and lifestyle issues. can and must use this as a new place to support awareness of the benefits and opportunities to cut menthol’s grip on the community for generations to come.

Tobacco Free Florida created In the Cut to connect with Black barbershops as a key point for gathering and for sharing. These cultural centers operate as locations of comfort and community – providing customers with much more than just a haircut. It can be the sharing of answers, information and support.

Are you a Florida barbershop interested in receiving In the Cut cessation materials, please reach out to us directly at [email protected].

To learn more about In The Cut, watch the video below.

**Note: In this post, racial and ethnic category terminology is worded to retain consistent usage with the exact phrasing in the cited.