Racist Policy Of Criminalizing Menthol Cigarettes.

From the regulatory side, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids president and CEO Yolanda Richardson had told The Hill “These rules represent truly historic action to drive down tobacco use. Once implemented, they will protect kids from tobacco addiction, advance health equity and save hundreds of thousands of lives, especially Black Lives.”



However, among those blasting the proposal, Rev. Al Sharpton had told Politico in April the regulation would likely only criminalize behavior that would not stop, “What we said is, ‘Y’all have got to consider unintended consequences.’ Imagine some cop pulling a kid over saying, ‘Where did you buy or get that Kool cigarette?’ People are not going to stop smoking Newports and Kools because of a rule. They’re going to go and get them from people that go to the street in the black market. Then what happens? That’s all I’m asking.”



The FDA estimated that 85 percent of black smokers use menthol cigarettes compared to only 30 percent of white smokers.