Blog post by NWtoSE from 2009:
Every year in DC the Black Caucus arrives to DC to discuss important issues surrounding the black community. I am asking to make the banning of MENTHOL CIGARETTES like NEWPORTS and KOOLS ILLEGAL and a TOP priority!
It is not enough for the FDA to simply ban fruit flavored cigarettes.
Candy and Fruit Flavored Cigarettes Now Illegal in United States; Step is First Under New Tobacco Law
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The black youth of today are smoking- Newports and Black & Milds in DC. Black & Milds are sadly considered cigars and are not even regulated with a warning of their health risks.
Did you know that 75%-90% of African Americans smoke menthols?
U.S. Tobacco Bill Puts Focus on Menthol Cigarettes – Stop Smoking – FOXNews.com
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SMOKING STILL is the leading cause of preventable death in the US!
400,000 deaths a year.
Alcohol-30,000 deaths a year.
It is so ironic that I found this pack of Newports on the ground in Target last week, because Tobacco was on my mind! I had just spent the day with PRO- CLEAN AIR, and yes ANTI-TOBACCO people at the DC Tobacco Free Families Conference.
“death of a Newport”
na na na na hey hey hey GOOOD BYE!
Reblogged this on NWtoSE and commented:
I believe my writing has improved since 2009 but my passion to improve public health in my community continues to stay strong, particularly around Tobacco Cessation and Tobacco Control. Check out this post:
I think banning any cigarette should be illegal. Hey, I know smoking is stupid and it kills but in this country you should be able to live your life the way you see fit. Now I do believe smoking in public spaces should be illegal because it affects those who make the choice to not smoke but if we are going to have freedom in this country, people need to be free to make stupid choices as well. If you are only free to do what the government thinks is best for you then we are no different than communist countries.
Marlon, I understand your argument however, I have to disagree. I believe that the United States Government and citizens should make every attempt to protect the public’s health. Secondhand smoke kills thousands of people each year and smoking continues to be the number one preventable death in the US as well as the most expensive “choice” to treat in a healthcare setting. The tobacco companies continue to market to youth and communities of color as well as the LGBTQ communities disproportionately, but together we can reduce the number of smokers and new smokers. Check out a little data:
From the Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/osh.htm
Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States. Each year, an estimated 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, and another 8.6 million live with a serious illness caused by smoking.
The harmful effects of smoking do not end with the smoker. An estimated 88 million nonsmoking Americans, including 54% of children aged 3–11 years, are exposed to secondhand smoke. Even brief exposure can be dangerous because nonsmokers inhale many of the same poisons in cigarette smoke as smokers.
Secondhand smoke exposure causes serious disease and death, including heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmoking adults and sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more frequent and severe asthma attacks in children. Each year, primarily because of exposure to secondhand smoke, an estimated 3,000 nonsmoking Americans die of lung cancer, more than 46,000 die of heart disease, and about 150,000–300,000 children younger than 18 months have lower respiratory tract infections.
Coupled with this enormous health toll is the significant economic burden of tobacco use—more than $96 billion a year in medical costs and another $97 billion a year from lost productivity.