Friday, May 21. I’m Laura Newberry, and I’m writing from Los Angeles.
For decades, tobacco companies have faced criticism for targeting the cool mint flavor of menthol products to Black people. Bright-colored advertisements for Newport and Kool menthol cigarettes are common at convenience stores and gas stations in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is resuming its efforts to ban menthol cigarettes a move that the agency and public health organizations say would save Black lives.
The proposed ban exposes longtime racial inequities of one of the most stigmatizing public health issues in the U.S. Black consumers who stand to be most affected by the proposed change are often left out of the conversation. And tobacco companies and other groups have called the ban discriminatory for targeting products consumers of color often buy.
Give your mind and body all you can right now
Today marks the end of this column: A monthâs worth of daily hacks to support your well-being in a winter season like no other. As I wind down the series, Iâd love to believe the pandemicâs finale is nigh. But alas, that happy ending is still a ways off.
And though Iâm a fierce advocate of both hope and optimism, Iâve set my watch to science and patience for the time being, so there Iâll sit (in my upgraded mask) for as long as it takes to arrive at whatâs next.
Give your mind and body all you can right now
Today marks the end of this column: A monthâs worth of daily hacks to support your well-being in a winter season like no other. As I wind down the series, Iâd love to believe the pandemicâs finale is nigh. But alas, that happy ending is still a ways off.
And though Iâm a fierce advocate of both hope and optimism, Iâve set my watch to science and patience for the time being, so there Iâll sit (in my upgraded mask) for as long as it takes to arrive at whatâs next.