In recent days, according to a report by Blackenterprise, an organization is advocating for African-American menthol cigarette smokers to seek assistance from smoking cessation support groups in order to address their high dependence on nicotine.
Despite the anticipation across the United States for further legislation by the Biden administration to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, health advocacy groups are pointing out that African American smokers face the greatest risks. According to statistics released by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a majority of African American smokers prefer menthol products. Among the death cases caused by menthol cigarettes from 1981 to 2018, 41% of the victims were black.
The combination of nicotine and "cooling" mint flavor creates a tobacco sensation that appeals to users, quickly addicting them to the smooth smoking experience. According to reports confirmed by the CDC, tobacco companies have historically targeted African American communities. It is crucial that we address this harm by mobilizing community and government support, particularly in expanding the influence of treatment measures such as nicotine patches and social support groups.
Amanda Graham, the chief innovator of the Truth Initiative, stated, "The key is to engage menthol tobacco users in our intervention efforts, including acknowledging their use of menthol products, or the possibility that they may come from racial or ethnic communities where menthol tobacco use is more prevalent. We need to ensure that the imagery reflects the communities most likely to use this product.
Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not officially banned menthol cigarettes, this policy has had a significant impact in the fight against systemic racism, which is crucial for addressing the issue of Black menthol cigarette smokers.
Jennifer Folkenroth, National Senior Director of Tobacco Program at the American Lung Association, expressed that "one thing we can all do is to remind the White House that there are already sufficient resources available to help Black individuals quit menthol cigarettes. No one will be left behind, and no one should feel unsupported in their efforts to overcome nicotine addiction.
It is expected that this legislation will be completed before the end of the year, but healthcare organizations have already been paving their own way to ensure that African American menthol cigarette smokers receive adequate smoking cessation assistance.
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