Rev. Ritney A. Castine, 1st Episcopal District
During its 52nd Quadrennial Convention, the African Methodist Episcopal Church affirmed its support for the health and welfare of its members by passing a resolution in support of eliminating flavored tobacco products.
As a lifelong advocate for public health and social justice causes, the adoption of this resolution comes as refreshing news. Despite tremendous progress that has been made the last several decades, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, with smoking causing more deaths than alcohol, AIDS, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined. Eliminating flavored tobacco products would by far be a singular action that would directly improve health outcome both immediately and for generations to come.
I applaud the boldness of the AME Church and for AME’s everywhere for adding their voices to the long list of other public health, social justice, religious, and civil rights organizations in urging for action on this issue.
Special thanks go to pastors and the current and former Connectional leaders who joined me in signing this resolution, including Rev. Stephen A. Green, Rev. Dr. Charles F. Boyer, Rev. Dr. Miriam Burnett, Rev. Dr. Natalie Mitchem, Jeremey D. Satterwite, Jackie Dupont-Walker, and Martinique Mix.
