Blacks & Tobacco

How the Tobacco Industry Exploits

the Black Community

The Black community has a long, rich history

Of over-coming adversity. Of making important and significant

contributions to society in the arts, sciences, and every arena of public and private life.

Of creatively solving their problems with little or no resources.

Of promoting understanding through education, song, dance, theater, and example.

Smoking is Not a Moral Issue. It’s a Health Issue.

Smoking doesn’t make you good or bad.

Not smoking doesn’t make you good or bad.

The majority of folks who smoke say they want to quit.

Smoking robs the Black community of good health and billions of dollars in income yearly.

Smoking and African Americans: Some facts and

statistics In 2004, about 4.7 million, or 20.2 % of non-

Hispanic Black adults smoked cigarettes compared to 22 % of non-Hispanic whites. Blacks accounted for approx. 11% of the 44.5 million adults who currently smoke.

Among Blacks, as with other U.S. populations, the prevalence of smoking declines as education level increases.

Less than high school education smoking rates = 37.5 % With college education smoking rates = 10.3%

Smoking and Blacks: Some facts and statistics cont. Of Current Black adult smokers, more

than 70% indicate that they want to quit smoking completely.

The prevalence of cessation, (the % of folks who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes and quit) is higher among whites (50.5%) than among Blacks (35.4%). *statistics from the American Lung Association

Why Does Tobacco Target the Black Community?

The Black community is a disenfranchised group, thus an easier target.

Little or no resources are actually spent on intervention/cessation in the community.

The media targeting the Black community is relatively inexpensive and very effective.

Strong community support for perceived corporate supporters.

How does the Tobacco Industry Target Blacks?

Through campaigns aimed specifically at the Black community

Sponsoring events, using giveaways Promotions in bars Through Black organizations

Examples of Efforts

by the Tobacco Industry to Target

the Black Community.

Kool is a menthol brand promoted in Black culture

Here, the tobacco

industry is marketing Menthol

Cigarettes to the Black

Community

What do you think this ad is trying to convey to

the reader?

Tobacco ads targeted

directly at Black women

Lies the Tobacco Company wants the Black Community to Believe

They are a “friend” to the Black community Smoking is sexually alluring Smoking is sophisticated Smoking is an effective social lubricant Smoking helps support the Black

community Smoking is a right, so you should exercise

your rights Everyone else smokes, and so should you

The Truth About Tobacco Use

It reduces the ability to obtain and/or maintain erection

Smoking makes your teeth yellow, your breath stink, and causes cancer

Smoking causes cataracts, osteoporosis, tooth decay, hair loss, and heart disease.

Smoking causes numerous lung aliments including, emphysema, lung cancer & asthma


Secondhand smoke is classified as a class A carcinogen by the CDC.

More women die of lung cancer than breast cancer.

Each year approx. 45,000 Blacks die from a preventable tobacco related illnesses.

Over 35,000 non-smokers die from secondhand smoke each year in America.


More people die from tobacco than, AIDS, handguns, alcohol, and all other drugs combined

It causes premature wrinkles

* Information provided by the CDC.

The Truth About Tobacco Companies

They specifically target the Black community

They buy Black support with a few thousand dollars each year, while making billions from the Black community

They know that little or no money is being spent on intervention or cessation in the Black communities, so once someone is addicted, it is more difficult to quit


They produce strategic campaigns to recruit Blacks

They make billions of dollars from selling a product that is harmful, highly addictive and kills over 45,000 Blacks a year

They have a powerful lobby to protect their interests

They support pro-tobacco legislators who often are against equal rights


A one-year study found that three Major Black publications – Ebony, Jet, and Essence – received proportionately higher profits from cigarette advertisements than did other magazines

The most heavily advertised tobacco brands are also the most heavily used

Resources/Cessation Wellness Resource Center

Located in Bingham Commons

Student Health Center Provides Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy

PASS: Peers Advocating Smoke-free Solutions

Student Organization promoting awareness on campus

Boone County Health Department Provides Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Columbia has adopted a Smoke-free workplace

ordinance

Will protect workers, many of whom are Black

Will reduce initiation rates significantly Will reduce absenteeism due to tobacco

related illness, reduce the cost of insurance benefits, and increase productivity

Will make it easier for those choosing to quit to be successful

Education

Blacks & Tobacco