Tobacco companies gain goodwill by advertising to black readers — and by donating money to civil rights organizations. Photo Credit: Tony Cenicola/The New York Times.

Menthol creates a cooling sensation in tobacco products. Some studies have shown that menthol also acts as a mild anesthetic.

There is a movement to ban menthol cigarettes. Why? The mint-flavored products black Americans.

On the whole, black Americans smokers smoke less than white people do. But black smokers die of causes linked to tobacco use at higher rates than white smokers. About 85 percent of black smokers use Newport, Kool, and other menthol brands. It is easy to become addicted to these brands. They also are harder to quit than tobacco without menthol.

The is for menthol bans. It says menthol products are the “main vectors” of disease and death among black Americans.

Many white health advocates oppose flavored e-cigarettes, which include menthol.

There is about the use of menthol cigars and cigarillos among black teenagers. Most black high school students smoke menthol tobacco products.

Tobacco companies cigarettes. They give away free samples and offer discounts. They sponsor concerts and special events. They advertise in newspapers and magazines geared to black readership. They donate money to civil rights organizations.

The companies have also been donors to black political candidates. They have been supporters of the .

The tobacco companies say they want to be good citizens. But it is hard for them to resist the chance to make a profit. Their friends in Congress work to defeat efforts to ban flavored tobacco products.

A lobbyist said, a menthol ban would infringe on the rights of adults who preferred it to plain tobacco.

The tobacco industry has joined forces with civil rights activists. Among them is the Rev. Al Sharpton. Sharpton visited black communities in California. He raised the fear that a menthol ban would give the police an excuse to stop and frisk blacks. .

Observers point out that society is  making marijuana legal. In what direction should public policy go? The tobacco industry also will not go quietly. They are creating new products that are less harmful to users.

Americans consume alcohol, tobacco and all manner of drugs, some legal, some not. The banning of one type of cigarette may not work.

Source: The New York Times