In this episode, we talk with Natasha Phelps, a Lead Senior Staff Attorney at the Public Health Law Center, about the recent statement on “Decriminalizing Commercial Tobacco: Addressing Systemic Racism in the Enforcement of Commercial Tobacco Control” that was released last year by a consortium of public health organizations. We take a deeper dive into that statement, discussing the values outlined in it as well as some practical ways to translate those values into action. Listen below or on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or LibSyn.

Download the episode transcript

Resources:

• Decriminalizing Commercial Tobacco: Addressing Systemic Racism in the Enforcement of Commercial Tobacco Control
• Center for Black Health and Equity’s Health Justice in Tobacco Control
• Black Body Health Podcast Episode 15: Equitable Enforcement
• A Discussion on Menthol Bans and Criminalization of Black Communities
• Public Health Law Center’s resources on commercial tobacco control, including those on retail policy and licensure
• Licensing, Zoning, and Retailer Density
• PUP in Smoke: Why Youth Tobacco Possession and Use Penalties are Ineffective and Inequitable
• Youth Purchase, Use, or Possession Laws are Not Effective Tobacco Prevention
• Equitable Enforcement to Achieve Health Equity: An Introductory Guide for Policymakers and Practitioners
• Addressing Law Enforcement Violence as a Public Health Issue
• CDC Director’s Commentary on Racism as a Public Health Issue