“I Already Know” — A Spoken Word Campaign Exposing Tobacco Industry Tactics.

About This Project

Summary

In the wake of California’s historic ban on menthol tobacco products, the tobacco industry pivoted — swiftly introducing a wave of non-menthol flavored alternatives designed to bypass regulation and continue targeting the same communities they spent decades addicting to menthol cigarettes. In response, the American Heart Association launched “I Already Know,” a bold spoken word poem written by artist Ryon Everidge that confronts this insidious strategy head-on.

Goals & Objectives

To raise awareness about the tobacco industry’s deceptive introduction of “non-menthol” menthol products following California’s flavor ban — and to empower youth, especially in Black and Brown communities, to recognize and resist these tactics through art and education.

Results & Impact

Since its launch in January of 2024, “I Already Know” has reached hundreds of thousands of viewers and has been used nationwide in efforts to pass tobacco flavor policies at the state and local levels.