• jeffw@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    I assume that they are a white conservative who has never talked with a Black person or they don’t know anything about US Black culture. In reality, menthols are super popular among Black smokers. I assume they think it’s a racial stereotype instead of reality.

    • ditty@lemm.ee
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      7 months ago

      Totally! Here’s a quote right from the article:

      “An estimated 85 percent of Black smokers use menthol cigarettes, according to federal statistics.”

    • Eldritch@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      I mean why ban JUST menthol cigarettes. Yes they’re not good for you. No cigarettes are. It seemed to be an odd move unless they are somehow out and away much worse. That and yes. Bans are often useless. Money would be better spent addressing the factors that make people want to smoke and provide better alternatives. It’d be cheaper and more effective. I think the only down side to it is a threat to corporate profits. Which is a good downside to have if you ask me.

      • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        Because they’re the only legal non tobacco flavoring left. The idea is that flavored tobacco encourages smoking. I disagree regarding menthol, but I see it and I’m open to being swayed by data.

          • KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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            7 months ago

            Is there a “predominantly white” flavor of cigarette? Can you explain how you would take steps to ban cigarettes, without “targeting minorities” and without an immediate outright ban?

            • the_crotch@sh.itjust.works
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              7 months ago

              I wouldn’t take steps to ban cigarettes. Prohibition never stops people from doing what they want to do, usually makes things worse, and usually disproportionally affects minorities.

        • Eldritch@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          I’m no expert. My natural reaction is those arguments sound specious. But not out of the question. Do you have a link to something solid. Reporting/research to share on this. Would be interesting if true. Like I said I’m not an expert. Not even a smoker. Had no one in my immediate family has smoked since the mid-1980s. So I have little doubt there are gaps in my knowledge.

      • cmbabul@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        That’s how I felt about menthols when I was a smoker. When they were first introduced I believe those were the ‘demographics’ they targeted, but the shifted to pushing on black folks in like the 60s if I remember correctly