Minty-fresh, cool, natural, medicinal, refreshing. Words used to describe the menthol cigarette. Since they were introduced in the 1920s by the brand, Spud, (obviously not named by a focus group) and romanticized in the 1930s by the Kool brand, they have been on the cigarette scene. Using green or blue tones in advertising, their niche has always been the “natural” alternative to regular cigarettes.
Menthol is found in mint plants such as peppermint or spearmint, and gives a cooling feeling. It can be found in throat lozenges, vapor rubs or muscle treatments to relieve minor pains and irritation. At the turn of the century cigarettes were smoked primarily by men and were harsh and hot. A man named Lloyd “Spud” Hughes introduced menthol as a “cooler” alternative in 1925. But it was the introduction by Brown and Williamson of the Kool brand that accelerated the menthol mystique and they were followed by RJ Reynolds’ introduction in 1950 of the Salem label. Others followed including Newport, Misty, Virginia Slims, Pall Mall and the Marlboro contribution, among others.
One of the demographics that menthol cigarettes have been marketed to is women. In the 1970s liberated women everywhere were told they had “Come a long way, Baby!” in an effort to equate independence with being able to choose their own cigarettes. And although most women were fairly aware that this was NOT the hallmark of their autonomy, sales of the Virginia Slims brand soared. In the 1990s the Misty brand used similar tactics. Many other brands resorted to the notion that menthol was a natural alternative to other tobacco forms and could be enjoyed outdoors, while playing water sports or socializing.
The other prime demographic for menthol cigarettes is the African American community. Again the ads promoted “coolness”, but this time showing happy black people in urban settings or at the beach. Through this advertising and promotion nearly 70% of African American smokers smoke menthol cigarettes. That amounted to about 3 million people in 2006/2007.
The FDA regulates the use of menthol in medications such as ointments and cough drops but management of menthol in cigarettes was disallowed by the US Supreme Court in 2000. In 2009 Congress gave the FDA the power to regulate tobacco and ban cigarette additives but menthol was again exempt from the ruling.
Menthol was again the focus of scrutiny in 2011 when the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee stated that removing menthol from cigarettes would benefit public health but didn’t take the extra step of recommending it be banned. The tobacco industry responded by issuing a statement of their own discounting the notion that menthol was a harmful additive and should not be subject to regulation.
It’s no secret that smoking cigarettes, whether menthol or not, is a dangerous habit. It’s the most preventable form of death in the United States but it’s a hard habit to shake. If you’re a fan of the menthol cigarette but want to give up the negative health issues, consider the electronic cigarette. The electronic cigarette from Safer Smoke Supply delivers the same menthol satisfaction without the 4,000 other additives that make conventional cigarettes so dangerous. Safer Smoke Supply is committed to products that retain the enjoyment of cigarettes; the stress reliever, the socializer or the after-dinner companion, but eliminate the hazards. Please look at our website for additional information or call us at 913.250.6827 to learn how the E-Cig can change your smoking life.
Filed under: e-cigarettes, Uncategorized by mikeburgess
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