The Case Against Menthol Cigarettes
African Americans die disproportionately from tobacco related diseases compared to other racial and ethnic groups. A key factor promoting this disparity is African Americans use of menthol tobacco products.
Menthol masks the harsh taste of smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products, thereby making it easier for kids to start smoking.
Menthol allows the poison of nicotine and tobacco toxins to go down easier.
Menthol reduces irritation, thus increasing the amount of smoke that is inhaled and allowing the smoker to inhale deeper and longer.
Inhaling more smoke means greater nicotine intake, making menthol and other flavored tobacco products more addictive and harder to quit.
Melanin is the substance that gives color to our skin; nicotine is stored in tissues that contain melanin; therefore, the darker your skin means that more nicotine is stored in your body.
African Americans have been especially targeted by the tobacco industry for over 50 years; this predatory marketing takes the form of:
More advertisements of menthol products
More lucrative promotions; i.e., more giveaways, coupons, and discounts than in other communities
Across the nation, menthol cigarettes are cheaper in Black Communities than in more affluent neighborhoods
More tobacco retail outlets
Greater marketing of flavored little cigars
Corporate sponsorships, campaign contributions to elected officials, and donations to many social, religious, fraternal, and civic black organizations
This predatory marketing led to the steady and alarming rise in the use of menthol cigarettes among African American adults:
1953 – 5%
1968 – 14%
1976 – 42%
2006 – 82%
2011 – 85%
Newports and other menthol cigarettes are not a Black cigarette. It is the discriminatory practices of the tobacco industry, pushing these products down our throats is why some many Black folks smoke these products.
And prohibiting the sale of these products will not lead to arresting young Black men and women for possession. It would still be legal to possess these products; however, retailor would not be able to sale them, period.
Menthols are starter products for all youth; numerous research studies show that youth prefer menthol and other candy flavored nicotine products.
Among African American adolescent smokers, 95% smoke menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products.
Nicotine is easily delivered to the developing adolescent brain, impairing judgment and decision-making functions and increasing addiction.
It’s not just about menthol cigarettes; it’s also about menthol and other flavored tobacco products such as the little cigars, cigarillos, and blunt wrappers (e.g., Swisher Sweets, Black and Milds, etc.)
Compared to other racial and ethnic groups, African Americans disproportionately use the above mentioned products; 50% higher than other groups.
Making flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, less accessible to our youth will prevent many from starting to smoke, and thus improve the health of the African American Community.
Hence, menthol and all flavored tobacco products, including e-juices should be removed from the market place. Cities should enact city-wide ordinances to restrict the sale of these products.
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