An anti-smoking initiative aimed at communities of color kicked off Sunday with the distribution of signs during the campaign's launch in Bethesda World Harvest International Church, 1365 Main St.
Citing smoking as "the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world," the campaign seeks to "dismantle Big Tobacco efforts to advertise and market its deadly products in communities of color, prevent the initiation of youth tobacco use, reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and provide access to tobacco cessation services."
According to a 2018 paper by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, "the tobacco industry has a long history of going to great lengths to target the African-American community."
The signage is being provided to Bethesda as well as a half-dozen businesses: Beauty Pros2, Eden Salon, Iconz Barber Shop, Sammy's Metro Deli, Scott Real Estate and Wireless One Enterprises.
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The campaign is sponsored by REACH: The Ferry Street Health & Wellness Project, the Tobacco Free Coalition of Erie & Niagara Counties, and Cicatelli Associates, a nonprofit focused on health and social services for marginalized populations.