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One of the first bills that passed after Obama took office was FDA regulation of tobacco. George W Bush veteoed it. Most Reps were against it while just about evevy Dem in congress voted for it.
So now there is talk that the FDA wants to ban menthol cigarettes (they have already banned other flavors). Menthols are especially popular among blacks. Some African-American organizations such as the NAACP strongly favor a menthol ban in the name of saving black lives. Some other AA groups are against it because they fear it would start an underground market with dangerous (beyond normal)
cigarettes and would allow minors to buy.
This doesn't directly impact me because I'm a non-smoker. I'm generally against bans like this because I believe government should stay out of peoples lives and leave the free market alone. Yet there is a part of me that would love to see this happen..It has nothing to do with health or any do-gooder motives.
What I find delicious about a menthol ban is knowing that so many menthol smokers voted for Obama and the Dems...the very same people who are making this ban possible.When menthol smokers voted for Obama I'm sure they had no idea that this could take place. This was not the type of "change" they expected when they heard the "hope and change" campaign slogan.
BTW, I read about the bill, and it only talks about flavors which target kids: clove, stawberry, vanilla, candy etc, but not menthol. I wonder where did the OP got the info.....
I've lived in IL, FL, GA, SC, and VA, and every single time I've seen a black person smoking, they've been menthols. Most white people I know smoke full flavors.
So using logic:
- A strong majority of blacks smoke menthols
- A strong majority of blacks voted for Obama
- Blacks who smoke menthols and voted for Obama will most likely be angry if he bans their favorite cigarettes.
Logic. Not racism.
BTW, I'm against this legislation. It's a slippery slope to go down, people have known the effects of smoking for years, and whether they continue to smoke is their personal choice, not big brother's. More people die from obesity-related diseases and illnesses than those caused by smoking; should we shut down McDonalds next? Outlaw twinkies?
I've lived in IL, FL, GA, SC, and VA, and every single time I've seen a black person smoking, they've been menthols. Most white people I know smoke full flavors.
So using logic:
- A strong majority of blacks smoke menthols
- A strong majority of blacks voted for Obama
- Blacks who smoke menthols and voted for Obama will most likely be angry if he bans their favorite cigarettes.
Logic. Not racism.
BTW, I'm against this legislation. It's a slippery slope to go down, people have known the effects of smoking for years, and whether they continue to smoke is their personal choice, not big brother's. More people die from obesity-related diseases and illnesses than those caused by smoking; should we shut down McDonalds next? Outlaw twinkies?
Like I said most white smokers I know smoke menthols. Anyway, where in the bill does it say anything about menthols? It only talks about flavors for kids. See my previous post.
Last edited by Finn_Jarber; 10-20-2010 at 08:52 AM..
Some other AA groups are against it because they fear it would start an underground market with dangerous (beyond normal)
cigarettes and would allow minors to buy.
Considering how cheaply and easily you can make cigarettes using a rolling machine I'm surprised there isn't a large market now. By my estimation I could make about $60 an hour. Side by side these cigarettes are no different than regular smoke either.
Like I said most white smokers I know smoke menthols. Anyway, where in the bill does it say anything about menthols? It only talks about flavors for kids. See my previous post.
It has nothing to do with the flavored cigarette ban. If you read the OP, it says there is talk within the FDA to ban menthol cigarettes.
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