Cigarette CON-Spiracy?

Posted on May 13, 2008 by thestateofblog

The most commonly smoked cigarettes by African-Americans is receiving special protection in proposed legislation. Why? The tobacco lobby, of course.

The proposed legislation would give the FDA power to regulate cigarettes. The legislation would also ban flavored cigarettes, like clove and cinnamon, but not menthol.

The reason menthol is seen as politically off limits, despite those concerns, is that mentholated brands are so crucial to the American cigarette industry. They make up more than one-fourth of the $70 billion American cigarette market and are becoming increasingly important to the industry leader, Philip Morris USA, without whose lobbying support the legislation might have no chance of passage.

The State Of . . . Your health. About 75% of our folks smoke menthols (about 99.5 of them are Newports). The next time your see a presidential candidate on the street, you should ask them what are they going to do about that the exclusion of Menthols in this legislation. Remember: the squeeky wheel gets the oil.

Filed under: health

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22 Responses to “Cigarette CON-Spiracy?”

  1. Dina, on May 13th, 2008 at 1:37 pm Said:

    More from the Nanny State.

    “Help me, I can’t quit smoking so I need Big Brother to penalize tobacco companies for my habit.” When will people grow up?

  2. Anon, on May 13th, 2008 at 1:45 pm Said:

    Dina
    “Help me, I can’t quit smoking so I need Big Brother to penalize tobacco companies for my habit.” When will people grow up?

    So is your position that you support/promote cigarette smoking Dina?

  3. Big J, on May 13th, 2008 at 2:03 pm Said:

    I’ll smoke a Newport when I’m liquored-up, but that’s about it.

    This is the classic freedom vs government argument. I’m usually against too much gov’t restriction of freedom, including the freedom to kill yourself, but in this case, I’ll side with the BIG NANNY STATE people and say I’m cool with tobacco regulations.

  4. rich, on May 13th, 2008 at 2:07 pm Said:

    I can’t believe you smoke(d) Newports. Although I have to admit I’ve smoked my share of Cloves during the early Philly years.

  5. Dina, on May 13th, 2008 at 2:15 pm Said:

    Anon,

    I support keeping government out of our personal lives.

  6. King james (nonsmoker), on May 13th, 2008 at 2:15 pm Said:

    75%?
    Where that stat come from…?

    I don’t really know how to feel about this one. Never been a smoker.. I guess folks need help with any addiction huh?

  7. LLR, on May 13th, 2008 at 2:20 pm Said:

    This is great! This means that the gov’t won’t be regulating menthol cigs. But on the other hand it’s more nanny state BS. This is the kind of BS that gets my blood boiling. Well maybe because I am a smoker.

  8. Anon, on May 13th, 2008 at 2:20 pm Said:

    Dina
    Anon,

    I support keeping government out of our personal lives.

    Cool on the govt. .. Now can you specifically answer my first question … Do you support/promote cigarette smoking??

  9. Dina, on May 13th, 2008 at 2:33 pm Said:

    Anon,

    Quit throwing red herrings. What difference does it make? What’s your point?

  10. Anon, on May 13th, 2008 at 2:37 pm Said:

    Dina Because I don’t want to assume what your position is to make my point… This is not an election..why can you not answer the basic question?

  11. Dina, on May 13th, 2008 at 2:49 pm Said:

    Because it is a stupid question.

  12. Anon, on May 13th, 2008 at 2:53 pm Said:

    Dina
    “Because it is a stupid question.”

    Gotcha! ..Funny

    Dina
    “When will people grow up?”

    It’s amazing what questions people determine to be stupid…;)

  13. pres, on May 14th, 2008 at 8:35 am Said:

    For the life of me I cannnot understand how people under 30 continue/start to smoke.

    Unlike when my old @ss was that age, we are continually inundated with evidence about the harm smokes do to the body. But I guess my folks could says the same thing when Nat King Cole died, although I remember the ultra cool smoking commercials; they were the greatest ads ever.

    Yet, teenagers continue to pick up the habit. Go figure?

    Personally, I think smoking cigs is ghetto and low class - and my bro smokes - but I don’t know about banning menthol.

    I just wish these @ssholes who do smoke would not do so directly in front of the entrance/exits of buildings. It amazes me how I get of the train in the morning, hit the door and the person in front of me immediately lights up as they are walking up the steps. I would be so pissed off if I were addicted like that I would quit.

  14. pres, on May 14th, 2008 at 8:35 am Said:

    BTW: Great ad photo.

  15. JP, on May 14th, 2008 at 10:46 am Said:

    Did anyone peruse the link. The point is… Black people smoke more menthols. Menthols are more addictive than other types of cigarettes. They are milder which lets people “breath them deeper”. Guess what?! Black smokers have a much higher lung cancer rate. Even when access to care is isolated…Maybe its the menthols (MESSAGE!)

    Oh, menthols won’t be regulated though.

  16. Cookie, on May 14th, 2008 at 11:54 am Said:

    I’m with you Dina. Put the Got Dam cigarettes down. If they made a regulation against menthol, niggas would just get em off of the streets.

    I get the concept of menthol smoked by blacks/more addictive/breath deeper/yadda yadda yadda. When are black people going to realize that AMERICA IS NOT SET UP FOR OUR WELL BEING!?!

    If you want to live healthy, wealthy and long you have to TAKE IT. Wanting the government to ban menthol flavored cigarettes is as ridiculous as wanting them to come to your house and pour you a glass of water. “We need water to live right? Why won’t the government tell us that and come pour it?” Give me a break, please.

    The whole reason African people were brought to this country was to be exploited as workers and consumers. Somebody tell me when the powers that be changed their minds!!!!! Somebody tell BLACK FOLKS that the powers that be have NOT CHANGED THEIR MINDS about exploiting you for all you’re worth and now, they’ve even thrown your white, red, brown and yellow brothers and sisters into the mix.

  17. Dina, on May 14th, 2008 at 12:05 pm Said:

    Wanting the government to ban menthol flavored cigarettes is as ridiculous as wanting them to come to your house and pour you a glass of water. “We need water to live right? Why won’t the government tell us that and come pour it?” Give me a break, please.

    You’re my hero Cookie!! :-)

  18. Anon, on May 14th, 2008 at 3:24 pm Said:

    Cookie
    I’m with you Dina. Put the Got Dam cigarettes down

    Cigarettes are not designed to put down… They are designed to get one hooked. Then once hooked… you get ill. Then your health related illnesses are absorbed by society… to the tune of 87Billion per year. Which in term affects your insurance cost.(increase) So anything that can be done to reduce people smoking should be done. Either way you and I are impacted.

  19. RJEsq, on May 14th, 2008 at 3:35 pm Said:

    Anon: They are designed to get one hooked.

    Exactly, Anon. So what’s the point of a regulation? Folks aint gon’ stop smoking!

  20. LLR, on May 14th, 2008 at 4:00 pm Said:

    Then your health related illnesses are absorbed by society… to the tune of 87Billion per year.
    That’s exactly what I’m talking about there. The real solution would be to get the gov’t out of healthcare so people can enjoy some freedoms.

    The same thing is said in defense of seatbelt and helmet laws. “Since I help pay for XXX, I want the gov’t to do XXX. Well we need to outlaw all fast food, risky sexual behavior, and fast cars. Those things also have to be “absorbed my society.”

  21. Anon, on May 14th, 2008 at 5:00 pm Said:

    RJEsg
    Exactly, Anon. So what’s the point of a regulation? Folks aint gon’ stop smoking!

    Just like wearing seatbelts reduces auto fatalities… Regulating cigarettes marketing reduces people who get started… Very simple concept.

  22. LLR, on May 14th, 2008 at 5:23 pm Said:

    Just like wearing seatbelts reduces auto fatalities… Regulating cigarettes marketing reduces people who get started… Very simple concept.
    I don’t think that the gov’t should be doing either. Please tell me what interest the gov’t has in my having good lungs or not going through a windshield in an accident?

    Like I said earlier, let’s regulate fast food more. That way there will be fewer overweight people. that’s a good thing right?

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