Why menthol cigarettes have a chokehold on Black smokers
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Unpacking the History of Menthol Cigarettes and Targeted Marketing towards the Black Community
This chapter delves into the racial marketing tactics and historical background behind the popularity of menthol cigarettes among Black communities, dating back to the 1970s. It explores how tobacco companies strategically targeted Black neighborhoods with menthol cigarettes, emphasizing notions of style and coolness to lure in consumers. The chapter also sheds light on the deliberate marketing strategies, including the involvement of influential community figures and the impact on black smokers' health.
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