Is the proposed U.S. ban on menthol cigarettes racist?

[xmontrealer]

Apparently the U.S. government is proposing a ban on menthol cigarettes. The government's reasoning is that menthol cigarettes are more addictive than non-menthol. Statistics say that 85% of menthol cigarette smokers in the U.S. are Black, as compared to 15% who are White. Theoretically the goal is to reduce the number of cigarette smokers in general, but it seems more Blacks will be affected, both positively and negatively.

Of course the tobacco and cigarette industry is trying to fight this restriction, but so are some Black community leaders.

BTW Canada banned them in 2017 for the same reason.

Thoughts?

 

[Beagle_]

Apparently the U.S. government is proposing a ban on menthol cigarettes. The government's reasoning is that menthol cigarettes are more addictive than non-menthol. Statistics say that 85% of menthol cigarette smokers in the U.S. are Black, as compared to 15% who are White. Theoretically the goal is to reduce the number of cigarette smokers in general, but it seems more Blacks will be affected, both positively and negatively.

Of course the tobacco and cigarette industry is trying to fight this restriction, but so are some Black community leaders.

BTW Canada banned them in 2017 for the same reason.

Thoughts?

This is driving me nuts, I forget which brand. Partying in Dubia before pandemic, they have these cigarettes with 2 crushes in the butt. 1 was blue for menthol and the 2nd was a velvet pink. The flavour wasn’t fruity, it was subtle and good!

Not my regular smoke and I do like menthol’s that you crush the ball in the butt.

Honestly, I’m not sure if that’s racist. If it was meant to be racist, I’m a little confused because health is involved.

 

[Beagle_]

I doubt it is racist because of revenue. That’s a good thing.

 

[shack]

Cigarettes are unhealthy for all races. Claiming racism is looking for controversy for no other reason than wanting to create controversy.

I'd be willing to bet that prior to legislation more men abstained from seatbelts than did women. Does that make it a sexist law?

 

[xmontrealer]

Cigarettes are unhealthy for all races. Claiming racism is looking for controversy for no other reason than wanting to create controversy.

I'd be willing to bet that prior to legislation more men abstained from seatbelts than did women. Does that make it a sexist law?

I was a heavy smoker who quit 33 years ago, and have never smoked a cigarette or even a joint since. I would probably be dead by now due to heart disease or lung cancer if I hadn't. (I even stopped having dreams that I was smoking, but not until about 10 years ago lol)

I'm fully in favour of anything that might persuade any and all smokers to quit, as long as it doesn't impinge on their right to smoke if they so choose.

But, as I posted above, some American Black leaders are calling the "no menthol" policy racist because it disproportionately affects American Blacks much more than Whites.

That's why I asked the question... is it a racist policy? Personally I don't think it has to do with anything more than hopefully reducing the desire to smoke in all races, and thus reducing the health hazards involved.

 

[Robert Mugabe]

Apparently the U.S. government is proposing a ban on menthol cigarettes. The government's reasoning is that menthol cigarettes are more addictive than non-menthol. Statistics say that 85% of menthol cigarette smokers in the U.S. are Black, as compared to 15% who are White. Theoretically the goal is to reduce the number of cigarette smokers in general, but it seems more Blacks will be affected, both positively and negatively.

Of course the tobacco and cigarette industry is trying to fight this restriction, but so are some Black community leaders.

BTW Canada banned them in 2017 for the same reason.

Thoughts?

i remember an excursion down to New York back around 1974 and experienced the amazement of the working girls around 42nd street. Seems everyone was bumming cigarettes off each other. I clearly remember the "girls" wanting cools. Regular cigarettes weren't on the menu for them. So their popularity with black girls was seared into my memory. That and the $15.00 bbbj's in the car.

 

[shack]

I was a heavy smoker who quit 33 years ago, and have never smoked a cigarette or even a joint since. I would probably be dead by now due to heart disease or lung cancer if I hadn't. (I even stopped having dreams that I was smoking, but not until about 10 years ago lol)

I'm fully in favour of anything that might persuade any and all smokers to quit, as long as it doesn't impinge on their right to smoke if they so choose.

But, as I posted above, some American Black leaders are calling the "no menthol" policy racist because it proportionally affects American Blacks more than Whites.

That's why I asked the question... is it a racist policy? Personally I don't think it has to do with anything more than hopefully reducing the desire to smoke in all races, and thus reducing the health hazards involved.

Pretty much exactly my thoughts. Those black leaders are the ones that I said are trying to create controversy.

 

[xmontrealer]

From Google:

Smoking any kind of cigarette, including menthol cigarettes, is harmful and increases risk for serious illness and death. Studies have shown that menthol in cigarettes likely leads people - especially young people - to experiment with smoking. It could also increase a young person's risk of becoming addicted to nicotine.

Compared to adults who smoke non-menthol cigarettes, adults who smoke menthol cigarettes make more attempts to quit smoking, but have a harder time succeeding.

 

[anon1]

they have these cigarettes with 2 crushes in the butt. 1 was blue for menthol and the 2nd was a velvet pink. The flavour wasn’t fruity, it was subtle and good!

make your own.

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[Medman52]

Not racist at all, they kill equally.

 

[Jenesis]

Racism had intent. This is effect. It is different. Just because more of one type of person is effect doesn’t mean they are targeted. It would matter if the numbers were the other way around, the would still be targeting the additive nature of the cigarette, not that mostly black people smoke them.

 

[HumbleJoe]

What a surprise, another thread about race

 

[Uncharted]

Of course it is racist. Because everything is racist these days. Anything that is done, or said that someone doesn't like is racist.

If believing the Cult of Woke, there is somehow more racism today than there was in Mississippi in the 1950s.

I'm sure just the fact of my white ass existing on this planet is somehow racist to someone.

 

[JeanGary Diablo]

Apparently the U.S. government is proposing a ban on menthol cigarettes. The government's reasoning is that menthol cigarettes are more addictive than non-menthol. Statistics say that 85% of menthol cigarette smokers in the U.S. are Black, as compared to 15% who are White. Theoretically the goal is to reduce the number of cigarette smokers in general, but it seems more Blacks will be affected, both positively and negatively.

Of course the tobacco and cigarette industry is trying to fight this restriction, but so are some Black community leaders.

BTW Canada banned them in 2017 for the same reason.

Thoughts?

As a Canadian, I don't equate menthol cigarettes to Black people; I equate menthol cigarettes to female smokers. When I was a smoker, menthol cigarettes were deemed "unmanly".

When I smoked, men primarily smoked du Maurier, Players and Export "A"; women smoked du Maurier Special Mild, Avanti, Medallion, Craven "A" menthols, Cameo (menthol) or Benson and Hedges menthol.

Literally every menthol cigarette smoker I ever knew when I was a smoker was female, and this includes two girlfriends.

I had Black co-workers who I'd go out for smoke breaks with and out for drinks with after work and not one of them smoked menthol cigarettes.

I know there's a connection, as you have pointed out, in the USA of Black people smoking menthol cigarettes, but the same does not hold true in Canada.

 

[Darts]

Of course it is racist. Because everything is racist these days. Anything that is done, or said that someone doesn't like is racist.

If believing the Cult of Woke, there is somehow more racism today than there was in Mississippi in the 1950s.

I'm sure just the fact of my white ass existing on this planet is somehow racist to someone.

The lefties do love their soap boxes.

It is probably also sexist since more women smoke menthol.

 

[John Wick]

Of course it's racist. In 2022, everything we do is racist. Petting your dog, baking bread, mailing a letter, sewing a button, buttering your toast, farting on the bowl - all racist. Just ask any activist. They'll tell you you are racist just for asking if you are racist. Do you even need to ask anymore!?