More Addictive Menthol Cigarettes Target Underrepresented Consumers
May 2, 2024By: Jason Goergen
Categories: Your Wellness
Cigarette smoking rates are near a historic low. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 21% of adults 18 and older were active smokers in 2005. By 2021, adult smoking rates were below 12%. While fewer people are smoking cigarettes, menthol cigarettes are growing in popularity among smokers.
The Might of Menthol
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Menthol is a chemical found in mint plants that can also be created in a lab. It changes how the brain experiences taste and pain. In cigarettes, menthol creates a cooling sensation in the throat that makes inhaling smoke easier. It also enhances the effects of nicotine on the brain.
Menthol and tobacco are the only “characterizing flavors” cigarette companies can market to consumers. Almost all cigarettes contain menthol, but those marketed as menthol cigarettes have more of the chemical. The combination of menthol and nicotine can make cigarettes more addictive. They can also make it more difficult to stop smoking.
Tobacco companies began reporting statistics to the federal government in 1963. Menthol cigarettes accounted for 16% of all cigarettes sold that year. In 2021, menthol sales rates reached a record high of 37%
Targeted Efforts
Tobacco companies target specific populations to market menthol cigarettes. A Stanford Medicine study found the industry has focused on young people, women and Black communities since the 1930s.
- Advertising campaigns often feature young people. Newport positioned itself as the dominant youth brand.
- Brands like Virginia Slims, Eve and Capri were designed for women. They advertised in women’s magazines and used “feminine” names and package designs.
- Menthol cigarette advertising is everywhere in Black communities. Brands feature Black athletes and entertainers and target consumers with coupons and free “starter packs.”
The CDC reports that racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ people and individuals with low income and mental health conditions are among the most likely to smoke menthol cigarettes.
Get Help
If you are a menthol or tobacco cigarette smoker and want to quit, North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health can help. Give up tobacco for good with our nicotine and vape cessation class. To learn more about smoking cessation, visit nkch.org/Quit.
