Episode 032: The Evil Genius behind menthol addiction Artwork

PAVe: Big Tobacco Messed with the Wrong Moms

Every week on “Big Tobacco Messed with the Wrong Moms”, hosts Meredith Berkman and Dorian Fuhrman, two of PAVe’s co-founders, will discuss the youth vaping epidemic, sharing important information about everything from serious health risks to quitting resources. Moderating important conversations with top public-health experts, these MOMvocates will speak directly to parents and other key stakeholders across the country, empowering them to join the fight to keep our kids from becoming an entire generation of nicotine addicts.

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PAVe: Big Tobacco Messed with the Wrong Moms

Episode 032: The Evil Genius behind menthol addiction

November 05, 2021 • Parents Against Vaping E-Cigarettes • Season 1 • Episode 32

Decades ago, tobacco Industry research revealed that menthol amplifies nicotine addiction, especially in African Americans; the more melanin in a smoker’s skin, the greater menthol’s impact. Armed with this knowledge, Big Tobacco methodically marketed menthol combustible cigarettes to African Americans; the more melanin in a smoker’s skin, the greater menthol’s impact.

(In 2009, when the federal government banned flavored cigarettes, menthol was the blatant exemption.)

Last April, after years of inexplicable delay, a federal lawsuit brought by plaintiffs including the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council forced FDA to finally announce it would “begin the rule-making process” to end the sale of menthol cigarettes-but that could take years.

That’s why the Center for Black Health and Equity is fighting deadly menthol tobacco products in real time at community levels across the country. In this week’s episode we interview the Center’s Greg Bolden about the No Menthol Movement in Atlanta; local partner D’Jillisser Kelly of the H.E.A.R.T coalition will discuss on-the-ground efforts including the Great American Smokeout on November 18th.