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African-American Smokers and Menthol
If you have ever looked through an Ebony Magazine, JET, or other African-American interest magazine since the 1980s, the ads above may look familiar. Like most other companies and industries, “Big Tobacco” uses targeted marketing to advertise their products – specifically menthol cigarettes – to certain populations.
As African-American History Month closes, here is some information on the history of tobacco marketing within the black community.
Up to 88% of African-American smokers use menthols. Menthol cigarettes make smoking an easier habit to pick up and a more difficult habit to quit.
The tobacco industry conducted marketing research to know how to best advertise menthol tobacco products to the African-American community, heavily advertised in African-American neighborhoods, and sponsored events catering to the black community. Menthol cigarettes like Newports are so commonly advertised to African-Americans, in fact, that black youth are much more likely to be able to identify Newport packaging than their peers of other racial and ethnic backgrounds.
If you have African-American friends, family, or colleagues, share this information with them! It may help bring someone a step closer to quitting smoking.
See the National African American Tobacco Prevention Network‘s site for more information on African-Americans and tobacco use.
Sources: The American Lung Association, The Truth Initiative, and MinnPost
