INDIANAPOLIS — In November, the Food and Drug Administration proposed a plan to prevent access to flavored tobacco products and banning menthol in cigarettes.
The Indiana Black Expo applauded the proposed plan.
The IBE’s “Matter of the Heart” campaign, that aims to prevent tobacco use in African-American Hoosiers, says that many African-Americans in the community smoke menthol cigarettes because of “strategic advertising and price promotions targeted toward African-Americans.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco companies have historically placed larger amounts of advertising in African American publications — with menthol cigarettes being promoted the most.
The CDC also adds that almost nine of every ten African-American smoker prefers menthol cigarettes. And CDC research shows that menthol cigarettes may be more addictive than non-menthol cigarettes.
“This decision would be a necessary first step to protect the Hoosier African American population from its unequal tobacco burden,” the IBE said. “We must continue to educate our local communities to discourage adults to quit their tobacco use and prevent youth from ever using tobacco products.”
A free resource for Hoosier African-American smokers who seek to quit can be reached at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
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