Menthol Cigarettes
African-Americans have been unfairly targeted by the Tobacco Indrustry
During the 1940’s, the tobacco industry began deliberately promoting menthol cigarettes to the African-American community on billboards and in magazines. Consequently, African American smokers have the highest rates of tobacco-related diseases and deaths.
Why? Menthol cigarettes are higher in nicotine and tar than regular cigarettes. And, the menthol in these cigarettes is a mild anesthetic that decreases the “burning” sensation and allows smokers to inhale more deeply, exposing the smoker to more cancer causing agents than regular cigarettes.
“Young Blacks have found their thing, and it’s menthol in general and Kool in particular.” 1974 – Philip Morris |
FACTS:
- Before cigarette billboards were outlawed, there were twice as many cigarette billboards in African American neighborhoods than there were in Caucasian neighborhoods.
- Targeted advertising made Kool cigarettes the number one brand among African-Americans in the 1960’s and Newport number one in the 1990’s.
- The death rate from lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases is higher among African-Americans – even though they smoke fewer cigarettes a day and begin smoking later in life.
Quit now before it’s too late!