Huge Loophole Keeps Menthol Cigarettes Alive

Earlier this month, seven former U.S. health secretaries, including Tommy Thompson and Donna Shalala, sent a letter to Congress requesting a ban on menthol cigarettes. This letter was sent in response to a legislative provision that would allow menthol cigarettes to be sold, while banning other flavored tobacco. At beYOUmag.com, we obviously discourage smoking, in any form. What’s the fuss over menthol cigarettes?

There are some surprising answers to this question. According to Bloomberg.com, “almost 75 percent of black smokers use menthol cigarettes,” and “tobacco companies know that one of the most effective ways to boost sales is to make cigarettes more palatable to first-time smokers by disguising the unpleasant taste of inhaled smoke and adding a fresh, minty flavor and cooling effect.”

Even though this legislation has a huge loophole, it’s a step in the right direction. It has support from more than 200 voting members of the House and 50 senators, including John McCain and Barack Obama.

If flavored tobacco is to be banned, menthol should be the first to go.

Written by: Gregory Schnese