Tag Archives: Newports

Vincent “Newport” Orange

Posted on by
3

Located at the corner of 7th and T Street, NW (Close to Howard University)

Located also at the corner of 7th and T street, NW on the building of the Carryout and also directly across from Vincent Orange' campaign sign

There is nothing like a keen marketing idea than using color to trigger your memory.  Every day I walk past a “Vincent Orange” for Council Chairman I become overcome with anger.  Here’s why:

1.  84% of all menthol smokers are black

2.  8/10 black youth smokers smoke Newports

Excerpt in a letter co-signed by: American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids-

Please click on this link to view full document with bibliography

“Since the 1960s, the tobacco industry has developed specific strategies to addict African Americans to menthol cigarettes, including capitalizing on misperceptions about menthol cigarettes being healthier, piggy-backing on popular African American cultural references, and forming close relationships with smaller neighborhood tobacco outlets to improve advertising and sales.1 Through market research and aggressive advertising, the industry has successfully penetrated this population.  84%  of all African American smokers smoke menthol cigarettes, as compared to 24 percent of all Caucasian smokers.2 The industry’s “investment” in the African American community has had a destructive impact: African Americans suffer the greatest burden of tobacco-related mortality of any ethnic or racial group in the United States.3
Research shows that cigarette company advertising and other marketing efforts greatly influence tobacco use initiation among adolescent non-smokers and maintenance among those youths who have already become regular smokers.4 More than 80 percent of all smokers start before the age of 18 and, not surprisingly, the vast majority of kids smoke the three most heavily advertised brands. 5,6 One of these heavily advertised brands, Newport, is the cigarette brand leader among African American youth in the United States.7 8/10 black youth smokers smoke Newport cigarettes.8″

and if that isn’t enough. .

  • In the two years after the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) in November 1998, the average annual expenditures for Newport in magazines with high youth readership increased 13.2 percent (from $5.3 to $6.0 million).14
  • There are more interior and exterior tobacco advertising in retail outlets in low-income communities and communities with larger African American populations.12

SO WHY Mr. Orange would you run a campaign in which you would associate yourself with one of the #1 killers within the African American Community?  (The Vincent Orange website is for donations only it does not provide his contact information)

TOWN HALL MEETING on MENTHOL | Monday, October 19, 7:30 pm Howard University Hospital

Posted on by
Reply


For anyone that knows me they know that I am extremely passionate about ridding the community of NEWPORTS, BLACK & MILDS and anything that directly targets the Black Community.

Please come out and not only support me but support DC at this important Town Hall meeting!
Ms. La Tanisha Wright from the National African American Tobacco Prevention Network will be in attendance. Ms. Wright is a former tobacco industry manager and now personal friend. Come listen to her and others speak of how the tobacco companies leave no stone unturned to target the black community!

If you have any question please feel free to e-mail at nwtose@gmail.com

ATTENTION BLACK CAUCUS! Make Banning Menthol Cigarettes a priority

Posted on by
3

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
Shared via AddThis

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
Posted using ShareThis

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.

DOAN
“death of a Newport”
na na na na hey hey hey GOOOD BYE!

REGULATORS!!!! Mount UP Against BIG TOBACCO!

Posted on by
Reply

“Earlier today, the U.S. Senate began debate on S. 982, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The Senate is expected to consider the bill over the next several days. The bill would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco products. In April, the House of Representatives overwhelming passed the legislation by a bipartisan vote of 298-112. President Obama has indicated he would sign the bill if it is not weakened from its current form.”- American Public Health Association

  • Tobacco use KILLS 438,000 US citizens a year when used as directed
  • Tobacco cost the US $96 billion per year in health care costs
  • $97 billion dollars per year are lost in productivity

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

S. 982 would create FDA authority to effectively regulate the manufacturing, marketing, labeling, distribution and sale of tobacco products which means that Tobacco Companies could not deceive young children and other adults into believing that tobacco products are MILD, have LOW-TAR, taste like WINE, CHOCOLATE or mask the taste of a cigarette with MENTHOL.

Think about who smokes various BRANDS of cigarettes in your community?

In Washington DC Newport Cigarettes made by Lorillard Tobacco Company are the brand of choice. . . (Jana’s daily observation!!!!- or ask ANYONE!) and according to a recent report released by the CDC entitled

“Cigarette Brand Preference Among Middle and High School Students Who Are Established Smokers — United States, 2004 and 2006″
The use of Newport was significantly higher among blacks in middle school (59.7%) and high school (78.6%) compared with other racial/ethnic groups.

Please let Congress know that you will NOT stand for wasteful spending, work hours lost, RACIST MARKETING in your community!

Follow this link through the American Public Health Association to let your Congressman know that it is time for the FDA to regulate tobacco!

http://action.apha.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=133

and if that isn’t enough please support me, as I personally spend time on the streets of DC talking to people about how they can quit for free!

Look what I found in Essence Magazine: the happy couple celebrating a birthday with a pack of Newports


“Oh honey, maybe I can loose you to lung cancer!” “Happy Birthday!”

REGULATORS!!!! Mount UP Against BIG TOBACCO!

Posted on by
Reply

“Earlier today, the U.S. Senate began debate on S. 982, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The Senate is expected to consider the bill over the next several days. The bill would give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco products. In April, the House of Representatives overwhelming passed the legislation by a bipartisan vote of 298-112. President Obama has indicated he would sign the bill if it is not weakened from its current form.”- American Public Health Association

  • Tobacco use KILLS 438,000 US citizens a year when used as directed
  • Tobacco cost the US $96 billion per year in health care costs
  • $97 billion dollars per year are lost in productivity

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

S. 982 would create FDA authority to effectively regulate the manufacturing, marketing, labeling, distribution and sale of tobacco products which means that Tobacco Companies could not deceive young children and other adults into believing that tobacco products are MILD, have LOW-TAR, taste like WINE, CHOCOLATE or mask the taste of a cigarette with MENTHOL.

Think about who smokes various BRANDS of cigarettes in your community?

In Washington DC Newport Cigarettes made by Lorillard Tobacco Company are the brand of choice. . . (Jana’s daily observation!!!!- or ask ANYONE!) and according to a recent report released by the CDC entitled

“Cigarette Brand Preference Among Middle and High School Students Who Are Established Smokers — United States, 2004 and 2006″
The use of Newport was significantly higher among blacks in middle school (59.7%) and high school (78.6%) compared with other racial/ethnic groups.

Please let Congress know that you will NOT stand for wasteful spending, work hours lost, RACIST MARKETING in your community!

Follow this link through the American Public Health Association to let your Congressman know that it is time for the FDA to regulate tobacco!

http://action.apha.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=133

and if that isn’t enough please support me, as I personally spend time on the streets of DC talking to people about how they can quit for free!

The Lighter

Posted on by
2

Last Friday was anything but normal for most. . . and maybe even a little more exciting for me:
My “To Do” List consisted of:

  1. Visiting CVS’s to see if they were locking up their condoms
  2. Picking up 1000 condoms for the MWPHA Opening Social at the Department of Health

First I headed to the CVS on Road Island Avenue, and then headed to the health department. I then ventured to the next CVS on my list across the street from the Navy Yard metro stop. Before I enter a CVS that I will be “investigating” I stand outside get a feel for the neighborhood, write down the store hours etc. There were some “youth of today” or the Hip Hop Generation (as I call the young people- teens) hanging out/chilling in front of the CVS and one of the young men as I would soon learn his name to be “R,” I noticed was “sizing me up” or determining my personality. What could he expect from a twenty something, conservatively dressed, white woman in an area that clearly he owns :) I am sure what would transpire throughout our 45 minute conversation neither he nor I could have guessed.
It all started with a smoke, R was smoking a Newport.
I said “How old are you young men?”
One of the kids replied “Your age.” (It makes me smile just thinking of the response- bless his heart) They eventually told me they were 16.
I quickly provided him with the Black and Mild pamphlet and described to him that tobacco has the same effect no matter how you smoke it. I gave him and all his buddies the run down of the marketing tactics of the Tobacco companies.
Seeing that I had just been to the Department of Health I literally loaded up their pockets with condoms- it is a very serious issue, but looking back I must have looked hilarious.

R’s friends “peaced out” and we got to talking. I asked him what grade he was in? He told me that he was in the 9th grade but should be in the 11th, that he had been held back twice.
For anyone that thinks that I am not capable of holding back emotions I am saddened to say that I can. At this point I knew that I had I to keep a somewhat consistent facial expressions without balling. This is very very hard for me.
We continued to talk and it ends up through my blunt and pointed questions in about 4 minutes I got a fairly clear picture of his “situation”
Hard working mother with two jobs
Deceased father
younger siblings
older brother “locked up” (in his words)
criminal record
Before I begin this story, I again want to remind you of my disclaimer on my blog.
The first thing I asked R was “Why don’t you like to be in school?”
R: “I don’t like being told what to do.”
Jana: “If you weren’t in school what would you like to be doing?”
R: “Playing ball”
J: “Would you maybe be interested in managing a basketball team?”
R: “YA! I would be interested!”
J: “You know you can even get a degree in college to manage a basketball team, and get paid good money!”
R: “Really? I didn’t even know dat.”
J: “Ok. You have two choices, go to school, or become a statistic and go to prison, because that is route you are heading.”
Many of my readers may be thinking those are pretty harsh words, but sadly many times they are not only true, but many in the community just accept the fact.
I asked R if he was able to talk to his brother and R said “I write to him but he never writes back.” It was at that point that I nearly lost it.
I said “I am sure he misses you, he is dealing with his own problems, keep writing him.” I asked him “Do you want to end up like your brother??” It sounds so cliche, but the way I say it, is not.
I asked him do you not like going to school because you feel behind the rest of the class?
I told him how I felt stupid (I know that is not out of Counseling 101) because I would not pick math concepts as fast as my friends. I said I had to spend a lot more time with my teacher and it was hard and I hated it, but I did it. He said he didn’t “get it” and it made him angry so he gives up.
I asked him “What do you like in school?”
R: “I like history!”
J: “Great, you couldn’t live in a better place.”
J: ” R, I want you to know that I will make time to help YOU personally. My mother made just a little bit too much money, and I am white which left me out of a lot of scholarships. R, you are black, poor, and if you can get your a%& back in school and do well and graduate, you will have so many opportunities and I will help you, and there are other people- at least 700 that I know that I go to school with that I know care about you- R.” I gave R my information and he promised to contact me, I hope he does. R has a great chance- he attends Woodrow Wilson High School, which is one of, if not the top high school in DC- very diverse for DC standards.

As long as I live I will NEVER forget the look on his face, it was as if no one had ever told him that he could aspire to be more, to do more, that he IS more than some black kid chillin’ on the street. Often I watch people watch the youth of today and sometimes I just want to yell and say “Encourage instead of discourage!!!!”
Maybe they will meet someone like R who maybe needed someone to say “there is more. . . . “

As I was about to leave- I noticed R still had a lighter in his hand, and I said “How about you let me have that lighter, you will be less tempted to smoke.” I assumed he would say “Nah.” But he made my heart melt as he placed it my hand and said “of course.”
I did speak with R and his buddy before posting picture and story.

The Lighter

Posted on by
4

Last Friday was anything but normal for most. . . and maybe even a little more exciting for me:
My “To Do” List consisted of:

  1. Visiting CVS’s to see if they were locking up their condoms
  2. Picking up 1000 condoms for the MWPHA Opening Social at the Department of Health

First I headed to the CVS on Road Island Avenue, and then headed to the health department. I then ventured to the next CVS on my list across the street from the Navy Yard metro stop. Before I enter a CVS that I will be “investigating” I stand outside get a feel for the neighborhood, write down the store hours etc. There were some “youth of today” or the Hip Hop Generation (as I call the young people- teens) hanging out/chilling in front of the CVS and one of the young men as I would soon learn his name to be “R,” I noticed was “sizing me up” or determining my personality. What could he expect from a twenty something, conservatively dressed, white woman in an area that clearly he owns :) I am sure what would transpire throughout our 45 minute conversation neither he nor I could have guessed.
It all started with a smoke, R was smoking a Newport.
I said “How old are you young men?”
One of the kids replied “Your age.” (It makes me smile just thinking of the response- bless his heart) They eventually told me they were 16.
I quickly provided him with the Black and Mild pamphlet and described to him that tobacco has the same effect no matter how you smoke it. I gave him and all his buddies the run down of the marketing tactics of the Tobacco companies.
Seeing that I had just been to the Department of Health I literally loaded up their pockets with condoms- it is a very serious issue, but looking back I must have looked hilarious.

R’s friends “peaced out” and we got to talking. I asked him what grade he was in? He told me that he was in the 9th grade but should be in the 11th, that he had been held back twice.
For anyone that thinks that I am not capable of holding back emotions I am saddened to say that I can. At this point I knew that I had I to keep a somewhat consistent facial expressions without balling. This is very very hard for me.
We continued to talk and it ends up through my blunt and pointed questions in about 4 minutes I got a fairly clear picture of his “situation”
Hard working mother with two jobs
Deceased father
younger siblings
older brother “locked up” (in his words)
criminal record
Before I begin this story, I again want to remind you of my disclaimer on my blog.
The first thing I asked R was “Why don’t you like to be in school?”
R: “I don’t like being told what to do.”
Jana: “If you weren’t in school what would you like to be doing?”
R: “Playing ball”
J: “Would you maybe be interested in managing a basketball team?”
R: “YA! I would be interested!”
J: “You know you can even get a degree in college to manage a basketball team, and get paid good money!”
R: “Really? I didn’t even know dat.”
J: “Ok. You have two choices, go to school, or become a statistic and go to prison, because that is route you are heading.”
Many of my readers may be thinking those are pretty harsh words, but sadly many times they are not only true, but many in the community just accept the fact.
I asked R if he was able to talk to his brother and R said “I write to him but he never writes back.” It was at that point that I nearly lost it.
I said “I am sure he misses you, he is dealing with his own problems, keep writing him.” I asked him “Do you want to end up like your brother??” It sounds so cliche, but the way I say it, is not.
I asked him do you not like going to school because you feel behind the rest of the class?
I told him how I felt stupid (I know that is not out of Counseling 101) because I would not pick math concepts as fast as my friends. I said I had to spend a lot more time with my teacher and it was hard and I hated it, but I did it. He said he didn’t “get it” and it made him angry so he gives up.
I asked him “What do you like in school?”
R: “I like history!”
J: “Great, you couldn’t live in a better place.”
J: ” R, I want you to know that I will make time to help YOU personally. My mother made just a little bit too much money, and I am white which left me out of a lot of scholarships. R, you are black, poor, and if you can get your a%& back in school and do well and graduate, you will have so many opportunities and I will help you, and there are other people- at least 700 that I know that I go to school with that I know care about you- R.” I gave R my information and he promised to contact me, I hope he does. R has a great chance- he attends Woodrow Wilson High School, which is one of, if not the top high school in DC- very diverse for DC standards.

As long as I live I will NEVER forget the look on his face, it was as if no one had ever told him that he could aspire to be more, to do more, that he IS more than some black kid chillin’ on the street. Often I watch people watch the youth of today and sometimes I just want to yell and say “Encourage instead of discourage!!!!”
Maybe they will meet someone like R who maybe needed someone to say “there is more. . . . “

As I was about to leave- I noticed R still had a lighter in his hand, and I said “How about you let me have that lighter, you will be less tempted to smoke.” I assumed he would say “Nah.” But he made my heart melt as he placed it my hand and said “of course.”
I did speak with R and his buddy before posting picture and story.