The Tobacco Regulation Racial Divide

To add another word to our recent posts about the regulation of tobacco products by the FDA, let’s not forget the discussions that are taking place about how this regulation may be perpetuating racial health disparities. The legislation as it now stands includes an exemption for mentholated tobacco products which, according to this week’s Kaiser Health Disparities Report, are used by 75% of black smokers. The inclusion for regulation of flavored tobaccos with the exception of menthol says to the public, in my opinion, that mentholated products are not as harmful as other tobacco products and users are not provided the same protection as other tobacco users. Because African-American smokers use mentholated tobacco products in much higher numbers than do smokers in other racial/ethnic groups, exempting the products from regulation does nothing to close the disparities gap and leaves African-American smokers at risk for the dangers of tobacco in ways that other users may now be protected.

The National African American Tobacco Prevention Network (NAATPN) has withdrawn support for the legislation, and the Congressional Black Caucus is supporting it with the addition of a provision that mandates further scientific research on the effects of menthol flavoring.

Sources:
Kaiser Health Disparities Report: A Weekly Look at Race, Ethnicity and Health – Monday, July 28, 2008 thru Friday, August 01, 2008

NAATPN Advocates Menthol Ban in Tobacco Regulation Bill