Health and Science For Sunday 061409
Hey folks,
Well, the Loony Left did it. They gave the power to the FDA to regulate Cigarettes. A responsibility that they do not even want. That's right. They do not want this. Then you have the Government showing just how Racist THEY are. We have talked all about this in the past. Let me bring you back to May 15, 2008. I posted Will The REAL Racist Please Stand Up
Some public health experts are questioning why menthol, the most widely used cigarette flavoring and the most popular cigarette choice of African-American smokers, is receiving special protection as Congress tries to regulate tobacco for the first time.
One possible answer? They do not care if they die? Maybe, just maybe, they see the fact that 75 percent of Black Smokers smoke Menthol is a good thing? We have been told for years that cigarettes kill. Yet, if smokers were to quit tomorrow, where do you suppose all the money would come from that helps fund health care? It is bad, it kills, yet no ban? That is really just a side note.
The legislation, which would give the Food and Drug Administration the power to oversee tobacco products, would try to reduce smoking’s allure to young people by banning most flavored cigarettes, including clove and cinnamon.
But those new strictures would exempt menthol — even though menthol masks the harsh taste of cigarettes for beginners and may make it harder for the addicted to kick the smoking habit. For years, public health authorities have worried that menthol might be a factor in high cancer rates in African-Americans.
I wrapped it up with this.
So we have Liberal programs that have destroyed the Black family. We have Planned Parenthood taking donations set aside to kill Black Babies. Now we have a ban on flavored Cigarettes, with an exemption of Menthol that is enjoyed by 75 percent of Black smokers, causing them a 50 percent higher rate than anyone else of getting cancer and DYING. Who is in charge of ALL these things? Liberal far Left Fringe Democrats. Affectionately dumbed here the LWL {Left Wing Loonies}
Fast forward to today.
AP - Historic anti-smoking bill aims at stopping teens by JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer Jim Abrams, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON – No more "light" cigarettes or candy-flavored smokes. Bigger, scarier warning labels. Fewer ads featuring sexy young smokers.
OK. When is the last time you have seen a cigarette ads? Seriously. Can someone tell me where you see them? I can not tell you the last time I saw "ads featuring sexy young smokers." They may still be out there somewhere, but I really have no idea where.
Historic anti-smoking legislation sped to final congressional passage on Friday — after a bitter fight lasting nearly a half-century — and lawmakers and the White House quickly declared it would save the lives of thousands of smokers of all ages. Even more important, they said, the measure could keep countless young people from starting in the first place.
Yeah. Everything Obama and the Loons do is historic now.
President Barack Obama, admittedly still struggling with his own nicotine habit, saluted passage of the bill, which he will soon sign. He said, "For over a decade, leaders of both parties have fought to prevent tobacco companies from marketing their products to children and provide the public with the information they need to understand what a dangerous habit this is."
Specifically, the measure for the first time will give the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate what goes into tobacco products, demand changes or elimination of toxic substances and block the introduction of new products.
Will it matter as much as supporters say? Smokers lighting up outside Washington offices had mixed reactions.
Government researcher Reginald Little, 47, who said he swiped his first cigarette from his grandfather at age 15, thought regulation was needed "because you don't know exactly what's in it."
But Becky Cook, a 22-year-old program analyst, said that, while she supported limits on ads aimed at children, "I already know it's bad for me, so I don't think knowing how much is really in one cigarette is really going to make a difference."
And nonsmokers?
Yan Meek, 42, a finance analyst from Jacksonville, Fla., who was visiting the nation's capital with her 8-year-old son, Jesse, doesn't smoke and suggested the legislation would lead to "too much government control over personal lives, personal choices."
AMEN!
Lionel Richardson, 26, an electrical engineer visiting from Huger, S.C., is a a nonsmoker, too, but called the legislation a good thing. "It's a drug," he said, and "the FDA plays a big part in what drugs are sold." As for restricting advertisements, he said, "They make it sexy so kids think it's the cool thing to do."
WHERE are these ads?
The thousand health and consumer groups that endorsed the bill say that, combined with other anti-smoking efforts, it can significantly reduce the 400,000 deaths and $100 billion in health care costs attributed every year to smoking in the U.S.
And then who will pay for all the things that Tobacco Tax, going up here in Florida another $1.00 a pack in July, pays for? YOU!
Under the legislation:
• Cigarette packages will have warning labels that cover 50 percent of the front and rear. The word "warning" must be included in capital letters.
Ooh!
• Any remaining tobacco-related sponsorships of sports and entertainment events will be banned, as will giveaways of non-tobacco items with the purchase of a tobacco product. A federal ban will be imposed on all outdoor tobacco advertising within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds.
• Point-of-sale advertising will be limited to adults-only facilities, and remaining vending machines will disappear except in places restricted to adults. Retailers who sell to minors will be subject to federal enforcement and penalties.
Vending Machines? I haven't seen one of them in a LONG time either. It is ALREADY against the Law to sell to minors. They just did a sting in Martin County here in Florida LAST WEEK.
• Smokers, particularly the younger crowd, will find they can no longer buy cigarettes sweetened by candy flavors or any herb or spices such as strawberry, grape, orange, clove, cinnamon or vanilla. Cigarettes advertised as "light" or "mild," giving the impression that they aren't as harmful to health, will no longer be found on store shelves.
Menthol excluded of course.
With an estimated 3,500 young people smoking their first cigarette each day, the ban on flavorings alone could have significant health benefits, said Dr. Adam Goldstein, director of the University of North Carolina Tobacco Prevention and Evaluation Program.
In the longer run, aggressive FDA efforts to reduce nicotine content — the bill prohibits an outright ban on nicotine or cigarettes — could "stimulate as dramatic a change in the product as anything we've seen in the last 50 years."
Can you say Prohibition?
He said it was not inconceivable that adult smokers, now more than 20 percent of the population, could be reduced to less than 5 percent in 20 years.
Other factors that could cut into tobacco use include the sharp rise in prices — Congress earlier this year approved a 62-cent a pack increase in the federal cigarette tax to pay for a children's health program — and measures by the states to ban smoking in public places. Goldstein noted that even North Carolina, the nation's biggest tobacco grower, recently moved to ban smoking in public areas.
Again, if all were to quit, who would pay that Tax? Where would the money come from. Oh, yeah. They are talking about a Sugar Tax, Sin Tax, Junk food Tax, ETC.
Paul Billings, vice president at the American Lung Association, agreed that pricing, education and laws are all needed to drive down smoking and reduce the health consequences. FDA regulation has been "a huge missing piece in the arsenal against tobacco," he said.
New FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said the agency was ready to "roll up our sleeves" to meet the new obligations. "We really do feel, by being able to regulate tobacco and tobacco products, we can reduce the burden of disease," especially by preventing teen smoking, she said.
I stand corrected. The NEW Commissioner DOES want it. She is a Clintonite and was appointed by Obama. Silly me. The Old Commissioner did NOT want it. The Department is already strained and would require more fina,,again, we are talking Obama and Crew. Bigger, and more finances are not a problem.
The Senate passed the FDA bill on Thursday by a 79-17 vote and the House followed suit on Friday, with a 307-97 vote. Despite those one-sided tallies, the bill has been years in the making.
The FDA tried to exert authority over tobacco products in the 1990s, but the industry fought back and the Supreme Court in 2000 ruled, in a 5-4 decision, that the agency did not have regulatory powers over tobacco under then-existing law. Several efforts by lawmakers since then had fallen short, victims of industry lobbying and opposition from the Bush White House.
Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., sponsor of the bill and chairman at a memorable 1994 hearing where tobacco industry executives denied that nicotine was addictive, relished the long-sought victory.
"I think we are today at the last gasp of the tobacco industry's efforts to protect their profits at the expense of the health and lives of the American people and to get children to take up this habit," he said.
Philip Morris USA, the nation's largest tobacco company, came out in support of the bill, saying it was behind tough but fair regulation. Its chief rivals were opposed, saying that FDA restrictions on new products would lock in Philip Morris' share of the market.
Costs of the new program will be paid for by a new user fee imposed on the industry. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that assessments could rise from $235 million in 2010 to $712 million in 2019.
Still not even a drop in the bucket compared to the TRILLIONS Obama is spending.
There was some opposition from Republicans who questioned the ability of the FDA to handle tobacco regulation and criticized what they said was another Democratic-led intrusion of the federal government in private business. North Carolina Republican Howard Coble said the bill is unpopular in his state, with its 12,000 tobacco farmers. "Their fear is tobacco today, the family farm tomorrow."
They do not care. They just want, say it with me, more power, control and of course money. But don't forget, leave those Menthols alone. Black people smoke them and die.
Peter
Sources:
AP - Historic anti-smoking bill aims at stopping teens
Hey folks,
Well, the Loony Left did it. They gave the power to the FDA to regulate Cigarettes. A responsibility that they do not even want. That's right. They do not want this. Then you have the Government showing just how Racist THEY are. We have talked all about this in the past. Let me bring you back to May 15, 2008. I posted Will The REAL Racist Please Stand UpSome public health experts are questioning why menthol, the most widely used cigarette flavoring and the most popular cigarette choice of African-American smokers, is receiving special protection as Congress tries to regulate tobacco for the first time.
One possible answer? They do not care if they die? Maybe, just maybe, they see the fact that 75 percent of Black Smokers smoke Menthol is a good thing? We have been told for years that cigarettes kill. Yet, if smokers were to quit tomorrow, where do you suppose all the money would come from that helps fund health care? It is bad, it kills, yet no ban? That is really just a side note.
The legislation, which would give the Food and Drug Administration the power to oversee tobacco products, would try to reduce smoking’s allure to young people by banning most flavored cigarettes, including clove and cinnamon.
But those new strictures would exempt menthol — even though menthol masks the harsh taste of cigarettes for beginners and may make it harder for the addicted to kick the smoking habit. For years, public health authorities have worried that menthol might be a factor in high cancer rates in African-Americans.
I wrapped it up with this.
So we have Liberal programs that have destroyed the Black family. We have Planned Parenthood taking donations set aside to kill Black Babies. Now we have a ban on flavored Cigarettes, with an exemption of Menthol that is enjoyed by 75 percent of Black smokers, causing them a 50 percent higher rate than anyone else of getting cancer and DYING. Who is in charge of ALL these things? Liberal far Left Fringe Democrats. Affectionately dumbed here the LWL {Left Wing Loonies}
Fast forward to today.
AP - Historic anti-smoking bill aims at stopping teens by JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer Jim Abrams, Associated Press WriterWASHINGTON – No more "light" cigarettes or candy-flavored smokes. Bigger, scarier warning labels. Fewer ads featuring sexy young smokers.
OK. When is the last time you have seen a cigarette ads? Seriously. Can someone tell me where you see them? I can not tell you the last time I saw "ads featuring sexy young smokers." They may still be out there somewhere, but I really have no idea where.
Historic anti-smoking legislation sped to final congressional passage on Friday — after a bitter fight lasting nearly a half-century — and lawmakers and the White House quickly declared it would save the lives of thousands of smokers of all ages. Even more important, they said, the measure could keep countless young people from starting in the first place.
Yeah. Everything Obama and the Loons do is historic now.
President Barack Obama, admittedly still struggling with his own nicotine habit, saluted passage of the bill, which he will soon sign. He said, "For over a decade, leaders of both parties have fought to prevent tobacco companies from marketing their products to children and provide the public with the information they need to understand what a dangerous habit this is."
Specifically, the measure for the first time will give the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate what goes into tobacco products, demand changes or elimination of toxic substances and block the introduction of new products.
Will it matter as much as supporters say? Smokers lighting up outside Washington offices had mixed reactions.
Government researcher Reginald Little, 47, who said he swiped his first cigarette from his grandfather at age 15, thought regulation was needed "because you don't know exactly what's in it."
But Becky Cook, a 22-year-old program analyst, said that, while she supported limits on ads aimed at children, "I already know it's bad for me, so I don't think knowing how much is really in one cigarette is really going to make a difference."
And nonsmokers?
Yan Meek, 42, a finance analyst from Jacksonville, Fla., who was visiting the nation's capital with her 8-year-old son, Jesse, doesn't smoke and suggested the legislation would lead to "too much government control over personal lives, personal choices."
AMEN!
Lionel Richardson, 26, an electrical engineer visiting from Huger, S.C., is a a nonsmoker, too, but called the legislation a good thing. "It's a drug," he said, and "the FDA plays a big part in what drugs are sold." As for restricting advertisements, he said, "They make it sexy so kids think it's the cool thing to do."
WHERE are these ads?
The thousand health and consumer groups that endorsed the bill say that, combined with other anti-smoking efforts, it can significantly reduce the 400,000 deaths and $100 billion in health care costs attributed every year to smoking in the U.S.
And then who will pay for all the things that Tobacco Tax, going up here in Florida another $1.00 a pack in July, pays for? YOU!
Under the legislation:
• Cigarette packages will have warning labels that cover 50 percent of the front and rear. The word "warning" must be included in capital letters.
Ooh!
• Any remaining tobacco-related sponsorships of sports and entertainment events will be banned, as will giveaways of non-tobacco items with the purchase of a tobacco product. A federal ban will be imposed on all outdoor tobacco advertising within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds.
• Point-of-sale advertising will be limited to adults-only facilities, and remaining vending machines will disappear except in places restricted to adults. Retailers who sell to minors will be subject to federal enforcement and penalties.
Vending Machines? I haven't seen one of them in a LONG time either. It is ALREADY against the Law to sell to minors. They just did a sting in Martin County here in Florida LAST WEEK.
• Smokers, particularly the younger crowd, will find they can no longer buy cigarettes sweetened by candy flavors or any herb or spices such as strawberry, grape, orange, clove, cinnamon or vanilla. Cigarettes advertised as "light" or "mild," giving the impression that they aren't as harmful to health, will no longer be found on store shelves.
Menthol excluded of course.
With an estimated 3,500 young people smoking their first cigarette each day, the ban on flavorings alone could have significant health benefits, said Dr. Adam Goldstein, director of the University of North Carolina Tobacco Prevention and Evaluation Program.
In the longer run, aggressive FDA efforts to reduce nicotine content — the bill prohibits an outright ban on nicotine or cigarettes — could "stimulate as dramatic a change in the product as anything we've seen in the last 50 years."
Can you say Prohibition?
He said it was not inconceivable that adult smokers, now more than 20 percent of the population, could be reduced to less than 5 percent in 20 years.
Other factors that could cut into tobacco use include the sharp rise in prices — Congress earlier this year approved a 62-cent a pack increase in the federal cigarette tax to pay for a children's health program — and measures by the states to ban smoking in public places. Goldstein noted that even North Carolina, the nation's biggest tobacco grower, recently moved to ban smoking in public areas.
Again, if all were to quit, who would pay that Tax? Where would the money come from. Oh, yeah. They are talking about a Sugar Tax, Sin Tax, Junk food Tax, ETC.
Paul Billings, vice president at the American Lung Association, agreed that pricing, education and laws are all needed to drive down smoking and reduce the health consequences. FDA regulation has been "a huge missing piece in the arsenal against tobacco," he said.
New FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said the agency was ready to "roll up our sleeves" to meet the new obligations. "We really do feel, by being able to regulate tobacco and tobacco products, we can reduce the burden of disease," especially by preventing teen smoking, she said.
I stand corrected. The NEW Commissioner DOES want it. She is a Clintonite and was appointed by Obama. Silly me. The Old Commissioner did NOT want it. The Department is already strained and would require more fina,,again, we are talking Obama and Crew. Bigger, and more finances are not a problem.
The Senate passed the FDA bill on Thursday by a 79-17 vote and the House followed suit on Friday, with a 307-97 vote. Despite those one-sided tallies, the bill has been years in the making.
The FDA tried to exert authority over tobacco products in the 1990s, but the industry fought back and the Supreme Court in 2000 ruled, in a 5-4 decision, that the agency did not have regulatory powers over tobacco under then-existing law. Several efforts by lawmakers since then had fallen short, victims of industry lobbying and opposition from the Bush White House.
Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., sponsor of the bill and chairman at a memorable 1994 hearing where tobacco industry executives denied that nicotine was addictive, relished the long-sought victory.
"I think we are today at the last gasp of the tobacco industry's efforts to protect their profits at the expense of the health and lives of the American people and to get children to take up this habit," he said.
Philip Morris USA, the nation's largest tobacco company, came out in support of the bill, saying it was behind tough but fair regulation. Its chief rivals were opposed, saying that FDA restrictions on new products would lock in Philip Morris' share of the market.
Costs of the new program will be paid for by a new user fee imposed on the industry. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that assessments could rise from $235 million in 2010 to $712 million in 2019.
Still not even a drop in the bucket compared to the TRILLIONS Obama is spending.
There was some opposition from Republicans who questioned the ability of the FDA to handle tobacco regulation and criticized what they said was another Democratic-led intrusion of the federal government in private business. North Carolina Republican Howard Coble said the bill is unpopular in his state, with its 12,000 tobacco farmers. "Their fear is tobacco today, the family farm tomorrow."
They do not care. They just want, say it with me, more power, control and of course money. But don't forget, leave those Menthols alone. Black people smoke them and die.
Peter
Sources:
AP - Historic anti-smoking bill aims at stopping teens
75 comments:
HA. This is ridiculous. You're saying it's racist that they are not banning menthol cigarettes just to up the chances for blacks to get cancer? Last I checked - SMOKING IS A CHOICE. If anyone chooses to smoke menthols, or any cigarette, THEY are increasing their own risks for cancer, NOT the government. You've got to be kidding me.
Hey Anonymous,
Welcome to the OPNTalk Blog.
HA. This is ridiculous. You're saying it's racist that they are not banning menthol cigarettes just to up the chances for blacks to get cancer?
Can you give me another reason why they will not ban Menthol? They are baning Orange, Cherry, and other FLAVORED Cigarettes. They say they are banning these flavors and raising taxes on cigarettes in general because they are BAD for you. Yet, they are going to leave Menthol, a Flavoring, alone. Why?
It is worse than regular Cigarettes. Some studies have shown that they are the worse kind. So why not ban them?
Because 75 percent of Blacks CHOOSE to smoke them. So if they cared about CHOICE, they would leave ALL flavors alone. Correct?
Of course all smokers have the choice. But if the Government is going to step in and limit that choice, one has to wonder why they are leaving a choice that is the most dangerous alone.
If you have another explanation, I would LOVE to hear it.
Peter
hey pete,
i'm white as rice and i smoke menthol. i believe that the reasoning behind the exclusion of menthol is that some companies, such as newport, salem, and kool, market only menthol cigarettes.
clove cigarettes like blacks[that's a brand, i'm not being racist;)]account for 1% or less of total tobacco sales. menthol, however, is responsible for 23% of all sales. if the feds were to ban menthol, then they would be forcing a large number of companies to go out of business.
btw:i in no way whatsoever support this bill.this is just me trying to understand their thought process.i think its total bull that they will decriminalize marijuana and turn around and take our blunt wraps.
what a bunch of 8----D's
-alex d
if the feds were to ban menthol, then they would be forcing a large number of companies to go out of business.
Swisher Sweets, White Owls, Black n Mild, and Phillies are going to go out of business. Swisher ONLY sells flavored cigars. Don't forget the dip! spearmint, chocolate, etc. they don't care about business.
You can also view this as a way to increase the tax penalty on those that DO NOT smoke menthol cigarettes. If "75% of Black choose to smoke them", couldn't that mean that lawmakers, who surely were aware of this fact, were looking to tax non-blacks?
I can tell you why they aren't messing with menthols. They aren't because President Obama smokes menthols.
OP is an idiot to bring up racism as a reason to keep menthols around. I'm black myself and I don't see anything racist about it. If anything, op is racist for even seeing it that way. Hating on the whities?
I find it interesting that I am only now hearing that Obama smokes cigarettes, and am a little turned off by the fact actually. I do think that the governement is still concerned about cigarette companies going out of business, and since so many people (of all colors) smoke menthols, that would be a lot of taxes the government doesn't see. That being said, I think it's ridiculous that menthols are not included in the ban. They do contain fiberglass, and are known to be the worst kind of cigarette you can smoke.
I think this bill is a good idea. I know a lot of young people who only smoke flavored cigarettes, including my young cousin, and I'm willing to give up my blunts for her. They hurt my throat and I always liked my bong better anyway :)
personally i think the reason why menthol cigarettes are excluded in this bill is because philip morris' profit is dependent on their continued existence.
they can ban labelings like 'light' and 'mild' and ban flavored cigarettes in order to achieve the illusion of action against smoking, but philip morris' lobbyists would never allow for an outright ban on ANY of it's products.
guess its time to rebel, we were told by the constitution to bare arms in the event of an oppressive government....sounds like its time to do sumthin about it.
well ok now we all go roll our own unfiltered flavored cigarettes. I guess I don't see the point in essentially deregulating flavored cigarettes by making them a black market commodity, It's not done anything against the sale/distribution of weed except put the profits in criminal hands. Empty gesture on the governments part, there are some things you just can't ban.
Hey Alex,
Welcome to the OPNTalk Blog.
"I believe that the reasoning behind the exclusion of menthol is that some companies, such as newport, salem, and kool, market only menthol cigarettes."
Interesting point. I'm sure that is one reason they were thinking about. Look at the reduction of tax income if these companies DID shut down.
However, if tobacco is so deadly, why no just ban it. Right? I mean, they love banning things. But you are right, TAXES.
The original article though made it clear that one of the BIGGEST reasons they are leaving Menthol alone is because that IS what most Black folks smoke.
Let's leave aside my argument of Racial, well, no, let's look at it this way. Perhaps they are also AFFRAID of being CALLED Racists if they ban what 75 percent of Black Smokers choose to smoke and leave Marlboro alone. I can hear it now.
"They left the White people Cigarettes alone and ban Black's"
THEN smoking would become a Civil Rights issue. {Laughing}
Peter
Hey Anonymous,
"Swisher ONLY sells flavored cigars. Don't forget the dip! spearmint, chocolate, etc. they don't care about business."
They sure do care about taxes though. Your right about them not caring. They have agenda's and they are sticking to them. To hell with whatever the People think.
That is the whole original point to my posting this. If they are going to do this, knowing some companies WILL go out of business, then WHY leave the most DEADLY produce alone? Because MOST Black folks smoke them. Then you have to wonder WHY that would matter.
Interesting conversation going on here. Thanks for adding.
Peter
Hey Another,
Welcome to the OPNTalk Blog.
"You can also view this as a way to increase the tax penalty on those that DO NOT smoke menthol cigarettes. If "75% of Black choose to smoke them", couldn't that mean that lawmakers, who surely were aware of this fact, were looking to tax non-blacks?"
Uh, actually no. I'm not sure how you came up with that. If they leave Menthol alone and allow Black folks to keep smoking them, they will pay just as much tax as anyone else that smokes. So I'm not sure your point. Could you elaborate a bit?
Peter
Hey Anonymous Huh, 3
"I can tell you why they aren't messing with menthols. They aren't because President Obama smokes menthols."
I was wondering what he smoked. Just flat out curiousity. Interesting point though.
Peter
Hey Anonymous 4
"OP is an idiot to bring up racism as a reason to keep menthol around. I'm black myself and I don't see anything racist about it. If anything, op is racist for even seeing it that way. Hating on the Whites?"
I'm assuming that you are referring to me OP {OPNTalk}? My name would be Peter, Pete, whatever. Just to simplify things {Smile}
I do not think you are Hating on Whitey, although I haven't heard that phrase in a long time.
So you really do not think Race has any part of this? Seriously. I'm asking. You see, this is why I will be posting this on this Sunday 062809, in an attempt to keep the conversation going and to bring it to the attention of new folks.
What do you think about my new possible reason? They {Congress} are afraid to be called Racist if they DO ban Menthol? Leaving the White's cigarettes alone and baning what 75 percent of Black folks smoke? You do not think someone would be attempting to play the Race Card on that. You basically called me a Racist for bringing it up. {Smile}
So if you do not feel Race plays a part in banning all Flavors EXCEPT Menthol, then why do you think they are leaving the most dangerous one on the market?
Peter
Hey Anonymous 5
"I find it interesting that I am only now hearing that Obama smokes cigarettes, and am a little turned off by the fact actually. I do think that the government is still concerned about cigarette companies going out of business, and since so many people (of all colors) smoke menthol, that would be a lot of taxes the government doesn't see. That being said, I think it's ridiculous that menthol are not included in the ban. They do contain fiberglass, and are known to be the worst kind of cigarette you can smoke."
Exactly. Why? They do get taxes from all other flavors as well. Why not KEEP them and Tax Flavored MORE. Then people who chose to smoke the Flavored, will simply pay more for them.
If they are banning them for "health reasons" then WHY not ban the most dangerous kind?
I love your closing remarks. {Smile}
Peter
Hey Jan-Erik,
Welcome to the OPNTalk Blog.
"personally i think the reason why menthol cigarettes are excluded in this bill is because philip morris' profit is dependent on their continued existence.
they can ban labelings like 'light' and 'mild' and ban flavored cigarettes in order to achieve the illusion of action against smoking, but philip morris' lobbyists would never allow for an outright ban on ANY of it's products."
What about the taxes that the Government gets? Like Gas, they get far more "Profit" for doing nothing than those that actually produce the product does.
What about all the other companies that will go out of business? I understand your disdain for Lobbyists. Trust me on that one. But this Administration LIVES by Lobbyists. They LOVE ACORN. and many others. So you have a good point.
I hope we can continue this on Sunday. Really interesting conversation so far. Thank you to all who are participating.
Peter
All the hype surrounding the banning of flavored tobacco, except for Menthol in regards to race is a limited argument and should not be taken seriously.
It is true, according to a 1998 Surgeon General study that over 75%of African Americans smoke Mentholated cigarettes compared to only 23% of white smokers. But to say that they're going to continue to sell this flavor to kill off a race is absurd. It's obvious the medical treatment in this country is unequal. It's also true that specific urban areas are targeted for advertisement purposes in order to generate sales for this particular blend of cigarette. Just because a particular item happens to be advertised in a certain area does'nt mean that the people who reside or hang out in that area have to purchase that specific product. I like to have a cigarette on occasion, and I'm fully aware that I can buy a pack of Menthol cigarettes but I prefer not to, because it's my preference or choice to do so. This holds true for any other person in this country. It's possible to quit smoking, I mean get real!
What's absurd about the FDA tobacco control act, is the fact that past research explicitly proves that Menthol cigarettes target the youth population. Which is what this act is trying to prevent. To exclude Mentholated tobacco is a contradiction to the act itself. And proves how absurd this entire policy and nation is becoming.
What the FDA should now do is announce and advertise how harmful menthol cigarettes can be to an individuals health. They could have avoided this issue completely, but money apparently talks. And to simplify it even more; smoking is smoking, the same oral and social gratification can be obtained despite a particular flavor.
Hey Brent,
Welcome to the OPNTalk Blog.
You bring up some interesting points, however, as you pointed out, choice.
People of all Races will no longer have a CHOICE to smoke Orange, Strawberry, clove, ETC. No choice. They can not harm themselves. Right?
Yet leaving the most dangerous of all the flavors and allowing people to STILL CHOOSE, begs the question, WHY?
Other than Race. Can you think of another reason?
The whole reason I brought up Race is because of the facts. That and the Libs have shown time and time again that they SAY they are for Minorities, yet their actions do not justify it. Social Programs have all but destroyed Black Families, Planned Parenthood sets aside money to abort Black Babies, and now they are leaving the most deadliest cigarette enjoyed by 75 percent of Blacks which causes a 50 percent higher death rate? You see where I'm coming from?
But then again it could also come down to the Left in charge not wanting to do something that will effect future votes.
Peter
I see what your saying,I'm aware of
the civil injustices that have occurred throughout the history of this country. Racism is still very much alive and unfortunately on both sides. But the only reason they've decided to keep Mentholated tobacco on the market is for profit.
Let's say hypotheticaly their main cause was to destory a class of people. What then? That large population of people aren't going to be buying their cigarettes anymore are they?
The main issue at hand, and the one that people should be the most upset about, is the fact that one of our basic freedoms has been removed from our will.
To agree with the past statistics that Menthol cigarettes kills most african american smokers and other minority groups is to believe that we don't have a conscious to believe we actually do have a choice.
I hope people can begin making rational decisions about their health and their future more wisely.
lol if they ban menthol, you will be seeing a REVOLT.
OR, they fear a revolt if they ban menthol this early in the game.
Peter if you had read more on this bill not just this article most articles covering this tell you that they didn't ban menthol because it is not the the most popular flavor used by African Americans but also the most popular flavor in general. They originally tried to ban menthol and it is in their objectives to do so, but the bill would not have passed if banning Menthols was a part of it since there would be so much opposition from the American Public. Senators that were worried about reelection would have to avoid supporting the bill since losing the vote of all the people who smoke menthols which is multiple times more significant then other flavors Also you should note that in general African Americans use flavored tobacco excluding menthol more than other Americans as well and therefore this ban in general would not serve your supposed liberal attempt to kill off the black race. In closing I'd like to point out that your are a closed minded idiot that seems to have the objective of stirring up bullshit for either no reason or just to promote your webpage here and although I accept that insulting you here really serves no purpose I was so embarrassed to be part of a community that would either write or read this sort of stuff.
Swisher Sweets has ads in the yearly sports previews. They always have young ladies next to Swisher Sweets logo, but they're not smoking the product. I haven't seen too many cig ads.
I think the whole "light" and "low-tar" cut is a great idea just because there is no such thing as a "light" cigarette. I had read from a physician on a medical forum who had put it very simply, "If it's meant to be lit on fire, inhaled, and exhaled, well then it can't be god for you no matter what it is." But straight up banning flavored cigarettes? really? you think just because something is flavored sweet its going to attract kids more? then go ahead and ban lime flavored corona, and all the flavored liquors because I'm pretty sure alcohol abuse is a VERY big issue with youth as well. They need to rethink their reasoning for things like this because they're affecting a large amount of consumers. so menthol makes up 23-27% of the cigarette market, there are still people purchasing those other brands/flavors. Although it may not be a huge chunk, it's still something. If they think that percentage of people is disposable then that is the true discrimination against our freedoms as americans. It's not "Oh well let's keep menthol because of the african-american population that invests in it" or whatever other bogus statement anyone can come up with. I know plenty of kids underage that smoke cigarettes that arn't flavored, infact, most of them don't smoke flavored cigarettes, unless you count menthol, which is the highest percentage of underage smokers I've known. Yes I could see it cutting down on smoking habits, but at the same time, who's to say it wont increase other habits? I'm a smoker of Djarum blacks, and I will not smoke any other type of cigarette, it's unappealing to me. So if it's banned then yes, i spend less money just for cigarettes, I'm not at a higher risk for cancer, but at the same time, I choose to purchase them, and enjoy them as a luxury.
If anything is racist about this article it is the "author."
75% of Black smokers use Menthol cigarettes to feed their addictions - Menthol flavored cigarettes are exempt from the bill.
And your assertion that pro-choice Democrats are so in order to kill black babies is the dumbest, most paranoid thing I have ever heard or read. Over 90% of the black-American demographic votes Democratic - why would a political party, whose sole purpose is to maintain a voting base, wish to eliminate a major source of its own votes?
The more you write the more irrelevant you become. It's pathetic, really.
I love how any dumb fuck can have a blog and pretend like they know what they're talking about.
Dude, you can't even distinguish between proper use of your and you're. Before you get all "hurr dur this is the internet, not high school" I just want to let you know that no one will ever take you seriously if you don't use proper English.
Go to a community college and get your GED. Also, I'm sure you won't post this on your blog. It just felt good to write this.
Peace!
Ok, before you hammer on the "Loony Left": which party favors more control in private life? Let me check the records.....no, not the left. Any anyway, this bill (disappointingly) received huge bipartisam support. McCain would have signed it too.
As a liberal, I'm pretty disappointed that "the children" are being used a as a ploy here. (I pass over your extremely bizarre comment about PP killing black babies...though, whaaaaa?) I favored restrictions on smoking in public places - restaurants, hospitals, airplanes - and stricter sales conditions, even warning labels, but as a good liberal, I'm committed to personal freedoms. Especially the freedom as an adult to buy and smoke these things in the privacy of my own backyard. K?
And cigarette vending machines are all over Wisconsin. You really should get out of your cave more.
Hey Brent
Welcome back.
"I see what your saying,I'm aware of the civil injustices that have occurred throughout the history of this country. Racism is still very much alive and unfortunately on both sides. But the only reason they've decided to keep Mentholated tobacco on the market is for profit."
Of course. But one also has to wonder if they were TRUE to their ideals that cutting back on people that smoke was for HEALTH reasons, than why not ban the most dangerous one?
"Let's say hypotheticaly their main cause was to destory a class of people. What then? That large population of people aren't going to be buying their cigarettes anymore are they?"
Nope, but then they can say see, we were trying to save people from killing themselves by attempting to limit their choices. We failed, but now we will have to raise taxes on, uh, Twinkies to pay for all the revenue lost
"The main issue at hand, and the one that people should be the most upset about, is the fact that one of our basic freedoms has been removed from our will.
To agree with the past statistics that Menthol cigarettes kills most african american smokers and other minority groups is to believe that we don't have a conscious to believe we actually do have a choice.
I hope people can begin making rational decisions about their health and their future more wisely."
I agree with you. We all have a choice. Until the Government takes it away because in their eyes, we are to stupid to know what is best for us. I do not impose my choices on others, I do not want them imposing theirs on me. We all have our own ship to Captain through this wonderful journey called life.
Peter
Thanks Anonymous
"Swisher Sweets has ads in the yearly sports previews. They always have young ladies next to Swisher Sweets logo, but they're not smoking the product. I haven't seen too many cig ads."
Me either.
Peter
Hey Ted
"Peter if you had read more on this bill not just this article most articles covering this tell you that they didn't ban menthol because it is not the the most popular flavor used by African Americans but also the most popular flavor in general. They originally tried to ban menthol and it is in their objectives to do so, but the bill would not have passed if banning Menthols was a part of it since there would be so much opposition from the American Public."
This is true. One of the Biggest coming from the African American Community. They would not want to be seen as Racists. Now would they?
"Senators that were worried about reelection would have to avoid supporting the bill since losing the vote of all the people who smoke menthols which is multiple times more significant then other flavors Also you should note that in general African Americans use flavored tobacco excluding menthol more than other Americans as well and therefore this ban in general would not serve your supposed liberal attempt to kill off the black race."
Menthol is the most dangerous and the one most Black Folks smoke, causing an insanely higher death rate. Yeah, let's leave that one alone. Right?
"In closing I'd like to point out that your are a closed minded idiot that seems to have the objective of stirring up bullshit for either no reason or just to promote your webpage here and although I accept that insulting you here really serves no purpose I was so embarrassed to be part of a community that would either write or read this sort of stuff."
{Laughing} OK. {Smile}
Peter
Hey Anonymous
"I think the whole "light" and "low-tar" cut is a great idea just because there is no such thing as a "light" cigarette. I had read from a physician on a medical forum who had put it very simply, "If it's meant to be lit on fire, inhaled, and exhaled, well then it can't be god for you no matter what it is." But straight up banning flavored cigarettes? really? you think just because something is flavored sweet its going to attract kids more? then go ahead and ban lime flavored corona, and all the flavored liquors because I'm pretty sure alcohol abuse is a VERY big issue with youth as well."
EXCELLENT POINT!
"They need to rethink their reasoning for things like this because they're affecting a large amount of consumers. so menthol makes up 23-27% of the cigarette market, there are still people purchasing those other brands/flavors. Although it may not be a huge chunk, it's still something. If they think that percentage of people is disposable then that is the true discrimination against our freedoms as americans. It's not "Oh well let's keep menthol because of the african-american population that invests in it" or whatever other bogus statement anyone can come up with. I know plenty of kids underage that smoke cigarettes that arn't flavored, infact, most of them don't smoke flavored cigarettes, unless you count menthol, which is the highest percentage of underage smokers I've known. Yes I could see it cutting down on smoking habits, but at the same time, who's to say it wont increase other habits?"
Oh it will. Not to mention increase the Black Market as well.
"I'm a smoker of Djarum blacks, and I will not smoke any other type of cigarette, it's unappealing to me. So if it's banned then yes, i spend less money just for cigarettes, I'm not at a higher risk for cancer, but at the same time, I choose to purchase them, and enjoy them as a luxury."
That is what all tobacco is becoming, a luxury item. But then again, when more and more people quit, and revenue goes down, they will find more things to tax.
Peter
Hey Anonymous
"If anything is racist about this article it is the "author."
Care to prove that? Check the archive here and you will CLEARLY see who the true Racists are.
"75% of Black smokers use Menthol cigarettes to feed their addictions - Menthol flavored cigarettes are exempt from the bill."
Which is the point. It kills them quicker. So why exempt it.
"And your assertion that pro-choice Democrats are so in order to kill black babies is the dumbest, most paranoid thing I have ever heard or read. Over 90% of the black-American demographic votes Democratic - why would a political party, whose sole purpose is to maintain a voting base, wish to eliminate a major source of its own votes?"
Yup. An the Democrat Party continues to keep them down and dependent on them, so they KEEP voting for them.
As for PP setting money aside and agreeing that there are to many Black Babies in the Country, it's ON TAPE> Everything I said here is Fact. I even posted the links for you to see for yourself.
There is no Logic in the Insanity of the NEW Liberal Party.
"The more you write the more irrelevant you become. It's pathetic, really."
And the more you blindly follow stupidity without learning the ability to think for yourself, the more irrelevant you and the other Sheeple become. Ignorant populations are things that Dictators are made of.
Peter
Hey Anonymous
"Ok, before you hammer on the "Loony Left": which party favors more control in private life? Let me check the records.....no, not the left."
Actually, yes the Left. Taking over Private industries, Oppressive Taxation, Limiting Freedom and Rights, Private Property Rights, and regulating what you do in your every day life IS the Left and New Liberal Party.
"Any anyway, this bill (disappointingly) received huge bipartisam support. McCain would have signed it too."
McCain is a RINO.
"As a liberal, I'm pretty disappointed that "the children" are being used a as a ploy here. (I pass over your extremely bizarre comment about PP killing black babies...though, whaaaaa?)"
Its on tape. It is a fact that PP willingly sets money aside for the sole purpose of killing Black Babies. The link is there.
Which Liberalism do you subscribe to? Originalism or the New "Progressive" Liberalism which is nothing more than a Quest for Tyranny?
"I favored restrictions on smoking in public places - restaurants, hospitals, airplanes - and stricter sales conditions, even warning labels, but as a good liberal, I'm committed to personal freedoms. Especially the freedom as an adult to buy and smoke these things in the privacy of my own backyard. K?"
That's fine with me. I do not want to limit anyone's Freedoms.
"And cigarette vending machines are all over Wisconsin. You really should get out of your cave more."
WOW. Really? They have been illegal in most parts of this country for years. In NY and Florida for many years. I have never gone to Wisconsin. Maybe I should get out of my Cave more. {Smile}
Peter
Hey Anonymous
"I love how any dumb fuck can have a blog and pretend like they know what they're talking about."
Yeah, they do not compare to those like yourself that shows so much brilliance in the comments they leave. {Smile}
"Dude, you can't even distinguish between proper use of your and you're. Before you get all "hurr dur this is the internet, not high school" I just want to let you know that no one will ever take you seriously if you don't use proper English."
You found a typo. Good for you. {Laughing}
"Go to a community college and get your GED. Also, I'm sure you won't post this on your blog. It just felt good to write this."
Of course I posted it. I do not sensor comments. I believe to much in the Freedom of Speech. Now matter how idiotic it may be. {Smile}
That's the problem with you folks on the Left. You go with feelings only. No thought required.
"Peace!"
Right back at ya.
Peter
First of all, YOU are an idiot - the government is not trying to kill black people by selling menthol cigarettes. That being said, I am strongly against this ban. The reason for no ban on menthols is likely because of the high revenue they produce, but if you are going to use the guise of "protecting our children" to pass this, then they MUST be included along with other flavored cigarettes. Seriously, how many kids do you see plucking cloves out of their christmas ham and eating them? What next, where do we draw the line? Do we ban flavored vodkas because of underage drinking? What about cigars? Parents need to take some responsibility and pay attention to what the fuck their kids are doing and big brother needs to leave us the fuck alone. And I am a non-smoker!
your a sad excuse of a blooger to try and turn this into a racist joke. your a joke. i couldnt even get through this whole blog without wanting to throw up in my moouth so i just stopped readin and began replying. have you forgotten the very man who has to agree to your whole "black man menthol killing theory" is black himself. i think u have some underline issues yourself with the race factor and need to solve some personal issues in your life. the world....or "america" in that fact is not out to get the "blacks" politically speaking. and not to mention... im sure if the "far left" demacrats wanted to screw over and kill black people like your saying.... dont u think they would find a more..um.. short term plan.. its funny the ludacris things people think up now and days to throw themselves a poor me party.. and you wonder why america is falling apart.. everyone cant stop pointing fingers at each other and are ripping this country apart. i dream of the day where we can all stand up as one again.... reach down grab our balls and show the world we not a bunch of little sissies crying about everything... serously.. if they want to ban every other flavor cigg except menthol than who cares why that is...be thankful they atleast left one flavor left for you to smoke... my mom told me growing up as a child she getsa more frustrated now shoppin for simple things as toothpaste because of the many different options u have to choose from... and life is becoming the same way... be glad they made that one more choice easier for YOU. now im going to go rinse my mouth out before i throw up in it again thinking about you sad racial comment.
well, in my opinion this is a load of bs all around. ciggarettes are ciggarettes no matter what flavor they are, kids are still going to smoke them. and I would looove to know where the hell they are getting this idea that candy flavored ciggarettes and sexy adds are drawing kids into smoking. the product is easily obtained, kids are going to use it. peers smoke, they offer another kid a cig, and they smoke it. THERE IS NO MYSTERY TO THIS. of course there bad for you, but most people are willing to take the risk. i think the government needs to shove it and worry about bigger issues then CANDY FLAVORED CIGGARETTES.
Hey Anonymous
"First of all, YOU are an idiot"
{Laughing} Thank you. {Smile}
"the government is not trying to kill black people by selling menthol cigarettes."
As I said before, not sure if you are the same person or not since there is no way to distinguish between Anonymous, you may be right. Another possibility could be that they are so fearful of being called Racists, that they do not want to ban them and leave say Marlboro alone. You know, the "White Man Cigarettes." Either way Race plays a VERY distinctive part of this.
"That being said, I am strongly against this ban. The reason for no ban on menthols is likely because of the high revenue they produce, but if you are going to use the guise of "protecting our children" to pass this, then they MUST be included along with other flavored cigarettes."
You see we agree. Along with the fact if they use the guise of Health, they should then ban all of them altogether.
"Seriously, how many kids do you see plucking cloves out of their christmas ham and eating them?"
Uh, none?
"What next, where do we draw the line? Do we ban flavored vodkas because of underage drinking? What about cigars?"
I was told by someone in the Business that flavored Cigars ARE on the hit list.
"Parents need to take some responsibility and pay attention to what the fuck their kids are doing and big brother needs to leave us the fuck alone. And I am a non-smoker!"
Be careful, you may end up lumped in with me as an Idiot. Big Brother, AKA Obama and Crew, are smarter than you. They know what is best for you. Do not question them nor attempt to resist. Just do what they tell you and you will be fine. To much freedom is bad for you. Don't you know that?
Peter
Hey Anonymous
"i couldnt even get through this whole blog without wanting to throw up in my moouth so i just stopped readin and began replying."
"Prelief" is great. You can find it at most Grocery stores. You know, if you take in before eating something with a high acidity, it will help you digest it better without Acid reflux. Maybe they should make one for people who can not read a different point of view from their own without queasiness.
As you admitted, you did not finish reading. You saw something you didn't get, or didn't like and started spouting off. That's OK. I know not everyone has the ability to think for themselves. When they read something out of their normal Mind draining propaganda, they have similar reactions.
"i think u have some underline issues yourself with the race factor and need to solve some personal issues in your life."
I DO have some very real issues with Race. I HATE Racism in any form it takes. If you check the archives here at the OPNTalk Blog you will clearly see this. I have fought for TRUE Racial equality in this country for years. If we ever hope to have TRUE Equality, we have to treat EVERYONE Equally. The good, bad, and ugly.
The problem with this is that if we did have TRUE Equality in this country, the Race Baiters will be out of business.
The other problem with this is if you TRULY investigate this in history, SORRY, it is the LEFT that are the true Racist. They have done a great job at convincing the Blacks and Minorities that they are all for them. Most of the time, giving them free stuff and making promises. Problem is, they never KEEP the promises in the long run and their "Good intentions" go astray.
"its funny the ludacris things people think up now and days to throw themselves a poor me party.. and you wonder why america is falling apart..
I'm not saying poor me by any means. The reason the Country is falling apart is because of insane Liberal policies. Out of control spending and oppressive taxation. The chipping away at our Freedoms on a daily bases at a rate never before seen. Sorry. The fault, no mater how Good the intentions were or are, lies with them.
"i dream of the day where we can all stand up as one again.... reach down grab our balls and show the world we not a bunch of little sissies crying about everything..."
We agree one hundred percent. But we will not get there with Liberal feel good, inherently flawed policies. Nor will we get there with Political Correctness. We have to BE What we are, and act as if we did when we MAKE this country the GREATEST in the World.
"serously.. if they want to ban every other flavor cigg except menthol than who cares why that is...be thankful they atleast left one flavor left for you to smoke... "
I don't smoke Menthol. Well, maybe one every now and then, but you do not see anything wrong with what you just said? I should be thankful that THEY {The Government} left me a choice? I do not what THEY to make ANY of my choices or infringing in my life at all. I do not want THEY, to take away my Freedoms, even if it is in the name of my "own good."
"my mom told me growing up as a child she getsa more frustrated now shoppin for simple things as toothpaste because of the many different options u have to choose from... and life is becoming the same way... be glad they made that one more choice easier for YOU."
Think about that. I TRULY hope you think about that and realize just how sad and scary that statement is.
"now im going to go rinse my mouth out before i throw up in it again thinking about you sad racial comment."
"PRELIEF". Maybe they should come up with PRETHOUGHT, for those who have to think for themselves after so long of just accepting what they are told. {Smile}
Peter
Hey Anonymous
"well, in my opinion this is a load of bs all around. ciggarettes are ciggarettes no matter what flavor they are, kids are still going to smoke them. and I would looove to know where the hell they are getting this idea that candy flavored ciggarettes and sexy adds are drawing kids into smoking. the product is easily obtained, kids are going to use it. peers smoke, they offer another kid a cig, and they smoke it. THERE IS NO MYSTERY TO THIS."
You are right. If this WAS just about Health, they would ban them altogether. But it's not. They still want the Revenue, yet they can not be seen as PROMOTING Smoking. So they do this as a guise for helping people to make better choices. Meanwhile they collect MAJOR profits of course.
"of course there bad for you, but most people are willing to take the risk. i think the government needs to shove it and worry about bigger issues then CANDY FLAVORED CIGGARETTES."
Iran, North Korea, the War, that Obama just said Victory is not the goal, Russia on the fast track to becoming the USSR at the same rate WE are becoming the USSA.
Trillions spent, NOTHING solved. People still losing their homes at record numbers, record high unemployment, Companies going bankrupt, energy prices continuing to go up? Yeah, we HAVE to ban orange flavored Cigarettes.
I hear ya. To bad for all of us, they do not.
Peter
This is why menthol remains untouched:
Philip Morris International is the largest cigarette company in the world. When we hear "Big Tobacco", think Philip Morris. They own many of the most popular brands, including Marlboro, and more importantly Philip Morris owns the best-selling menthol brands: Newport, Marlboro Menthol, etc. Their lobby gives congressmen their money, and in turn the congressmen ensure that no other flavoured cigarettes remain to encroach on Philip Morris's menthol sales. All the cloves and other flavours come from smaller manufacturers.
But, yeah, keep going with your conspiracy theories. I sell these things for a living, and half my imported cigarette shelves will be empty by 22 September because of it.
Hi Peter,
I smoke Dream Vanilla cigarettes (for another 5 weeks - talk about motivation to quit!) Dreams are imported from Belgium. While I'm not positive about Djarums, I believe they are also an imported brand, perhaps distributed by an American company like Phillip Morris, perhaps not.
But if most flavored (but not mentholated) cigarettes are indeed imported, wouldn't it stand to reason that the American tobacco companies would be in support of eliminating any sort of outside competition, no matter how large a market they compete for?
Just some food for thought.
Gidg: Exactly.
Dreams are imported from Belgium, Djarums come from Indonesia, and Von Eicken (another manufacturer that makes many flavoured cigarettes) makes their product in Germany.
Nat Sherman is based in New York, but most of their line isn't flavoured. They had (I think) only one clove; the rest of their flavours are mint-based, and the FDA is allowing them to rename them "menthol", so they got out okay.
The only "flavour" Philip Morris really has is menthol. RJ Reynolds has a couple flavoured Camels that aren't huge sellers outside of the "Sweet Sixteen" market segment, but those are gone. None of these American companies rely heavily on flavoured cigarette purchases; many foreign manufacturers do.
Quick comment. Solid article but one thing. It's not the ads but in movie placement. That's what makes me want to smoke. Seeing my favorite actors/characters doing so.
Philip Morris is supporting the ban of "candy flavored" cigarettes, with the exception of menthol. It is hilarious that a company that makes kretek cigarettes [Marlboro Mix 9] would be concerned with children smoking flavored cigarettes.
There is a store in Indiana that advertises filtered Djarum cigarillos, similar to the filtered Swisher Sweet cigarillos. I'd be pretty happy if it were true. I can't help but appreciate loopholes around biased regulations.
If anything, I would think that flavored cigars, cigarillos, and flavored papers would be banned before flavored cigarettes. Although I doubt Philip Morris would put this kind of effort [or money] into preventing minors from partaking in a little Mary Jane.
I'm sure that they don't care because they aren't in competition with companies that make products like grape cigarillos, which I am sue are easier to work with than cigarettes & much cheaper.
I don't think my comment is very on topic & I'm sorry for that. I just noticed 'Philip Morris' mentioned a few times & apparently couldn't help myself.
Really cigarette smoking is very dangerous to health and more dangerous to leave it. As a cigarette smoker i am daily trying to leave smoking but i can't do yet.
Jamie: Yep, Djarum is now manufacturing filtered clove "cigars"--they look and smoke almost exactly the same as the cigarettes, but they come in packs of twelve. No word on price yet, either.
Barack Obama: world's guiltiest smoker?
Two points: 1) Whatever good intentions this ship MIGHT have sailed on ( it's a stretch, I know.. ), it's obvious to me that it's been hijacked right out of the harbor by Phillip Morris for a number of reasons, all of which amount to profit at someone else's expense. 2) I'm absolutely positive that we can trust the FDA to responsibly regulate the sale of tobacco products, now. After all, look at what a great track record they've had with pharmaceuticals!
Obama, you freakin hypocrite!
I have smoked cloves for several years, am white and 52 years old. I highly resent the federal government telling me which cigarettes I can smoke. I think Big Brother has gone too far and will continue to infringe on our individual choices as long as we let them. I am a local elected official and cannot imagine trying to control people in the manner the federal government is. This is just the beginning on our road to socialism!
Strange... most youngsters I've met who smoke STARTED on menthols...
It's just another load of BS brought to you by your friendly neighbourhood, out-of-touch political morons.
Strictly a clove cigarette smoker here and this bill pisses me off something royal. Even if I wasn't a smoker, it would piss me off. This was supposed to be a free country last I knew.
If you're going to ban "sweet" flavored cigarettes, then start banning the sweet alcohols, too: Schnapps, Bartles & James, and Seagrams would be a good start.
So far as I'm concerned, this all boils down to the parenting issue. If people would pay more attention to what their children were doing, underage smoking and drinking wouldn't be nearly so rampant. Unlike most people of my generation, I started smoking when I was legal to buy them. I ONLY smoke clove cigarettes and have for the last 17 years. Needless to say, this smacks me where it hurts.
I think people are riding too high on this "history in the making" BS and have forgotten the reason this country was originally founded. Freedom.
No, I won't be thanking anyone for taking away my choice of a slow, painful suicide. It's my choice. No one else's. It's not my fault someone else's kids are lighting up.
Notice its only CIGARETTES, No Cigars, Pipe Tobacco or Chew are involved in this ban.
I will wager my soul that he smokes menthols. Furthermore, uh, hello? Obama is black? I highly doubt he's looking to promote death in black citizens. He's probably just a selfish addicted smoker like anyone else, and doesn't want to lose *his* flavor. :P
I smoke and i have realized that if im going to be stuck smokeing (Im 16) i want them so they DONT taste like crap and i enjoy black and milds various flavors. i do not belive this will help at all with young people smoking because kids dont smoke for the flavor, i for one smoke cause my dad smokes and he got me started (second hand smoke) and i dont like the tase and yes i dont Want to quit because i do see the point were all going to die why not live the way i want to? flavor cigs and tobacco shouldent be banned.... think about the comercials for it take those off not the actual cigerette's
This is a stupid post. They left menthols because they sell well. If you are concerned about African Americans dying from smoking, then they should stop smoking. If they would have banned them, you would be saying how they banned them because they are the most used by African Americans. Damned if you do, damed if you don't....
shit man this is ridiculous. I voted for obama but im starting to regret my choice. Anyone whos cool with flat out banning something like this is a total nazi. Whats our country coming to?
A cartoon on the next logical step for the cigarette companies to keep going after kids:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiV6NI_TbTI
This is the most rediculous article i've ever read, an African American is once more trying to bring up racism by saying the FDA will ban flavored cigs but not menthol because African Americans like menthol and there for more African Americans will die. THATS SOO DUMB!!!! All cigarettes kill! Why is there always someone who trys to bring up the past, yeah we know African Americans were once slaves, but you know who sold them? AFrican Americans!! SO quit hating on White Americans.. also out president is black! And he's the one who signs off permission to ban cigarettes. I mean geez African Americans already have way more benefits then the white Americans.
HOW ABOUT FLAVORED CIGARETTES ATTRACTS MORE CHILDREN, WE DONT WANT CHILDREN SMOKING, EVER THINK OF THAT!?!?
I got an idea for all you smokers who are upset about the new ban.. QUIT SMOKING! Then you could careless =) Annnnd Americas health care wouldnt be so much because then YOU wouldnt have soo many damn health problems do to cigaretts! yay!
Whats next a ban on flavored alcohol? I mean really this is stupid. Kids are going to smoke if they want no matter how they taste. It is the appeal of cigarettes that kids like not the flavor. And excluding menthols is unfair. Its like saying oh you can't have soda because it appeals to kids but sprite is ok.
I also heard that the Pres. likes menthol although I haven't seen the facts.
I would like to know who sais that menthol cigarettes are more deadly and why they think so.
Maybe we should stop sticking "vix" up our nose when we get a head cold.
wow. this is the most retarded thing i have ever read. american intelligence has reached a new low.
I hate that the government is even getting involved in this, EVERYONE and their puppy knows smoking is bad for them. There is an ad on every two seconds telling you smoking is bad.
I smoke, I choose to smoke, and I know its bad for me, but you don't see them cracking down on Mcdonalds or BK or the food industry with their preservatives and high fat and sodium contents, WAY more children are eating fast food than smoking, in fact smoking is really out of style.
It impinges on personal freedoms and businuss practices. With the ecconomy in the toliet, the tobacco industry is one of the few industries this country has that actually PRODUCES a product, most of our other industries just move money around. We need industries that produce product to turn the ecconomy around.
They already tax smokers TWICE everytime they buy a pack. They pay a state tax and a federal cigarette tax. This further regulation is just stupid. They aren't going to stop people from smoking, and its going to tie up government in a battle they are NEVER going to win.
If government wants to save the children, they should focus on better schools, regulating what the hell goes in FOOD, which ALL people eat and better law enforcement. They need to put the money where they can win instead of fighting a losing fight.
People are always going to smoke and use drugs, and making the FDA regulate tobacco is just the governemnt putting its nose where it does not belong. Stay out of my personal life Government, I'll keep my cigarettes, which are funding you and you fix my country.
to alex d... the "brands" you are mentioning that are all menthol are just names carried by the large tobacco companies RJ Reynolds and Philip Morris. It's like how GM makes Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles. No one would be going out of business.
First off let me start by saying that like some of the other posters, I am sick and tired of the government telling me what I can and can't do in this "free" country of ours.
That said, I would like to address the issue of underage smokers. Now this is just from my personal experiance, but all (not just some) of the underage smokers I know have access to cigarettes because their parents are smokers and buy they buy cigarettes for them. Personally I believe that it is the reponsablity of the parents to keep their children informed about the dangers of smoking and the impact they can have on your life. That goes for drugs and sex as well, but that's not what we're discussing here today. In my opinon children who are well informed will make better choices. This isn't to say that people who smoke have made bad choices, I just don't think that anyone should smoke untill they are 18, from then on it's your choice.
Anyway, just needed to vent a bit, glad I got that off my chest. Now I have to go and start preparing to relocate to a country where I can smoke when and what I'd like, maybe if I'm luckly I'll even get in on some of that universal health care! Lol
Ok I do not care what color anyone is. What I care about is the fact that we the people can not choose for ourselves on many issues. My issue is Dreams French Vanilla is no longer available. This is my one true treat. They are so expensive that I get "got" them once a month They also only come from a place where you have to be 18 to enter. I am old enough to choose and raising 6 children who don't and won't "they are trying to make me quit" smoke. Personally if we had more involved parents, not government, we would have less teenage smokers. And yes Our Presidnet Smokes! The only word that comes to mind is hypocrite.
okay this is retarded, welcome back abolition, the thing they need is to get make harsher punishments for vendors selling cigarettes to minors, rather than banning certain products.
But hell, welcome to america, have fun, im packing my stuff and getting the hell out of here .
sooooo i was actually trying to find out why kroger where i work was selling all of their menthol, kool, salem, doral methols, marlboro menthols, and newports for 2 dollars in the discontinued bin, are they actually going to ban them? or are they just not selling them in big corp. anymore, also i noticed they were manily selling soft packs and 100's? is they just setting restrictions? why is this? also the methol is not a racist thing theyre probably leaving the most widely smoked flavor alone for the taxes i dont see anything the govermonet does as racsist im pretty liberal but i dont support this, i'm a 17 year old methols smoker and have been since i was 12, if i wanted to to quit i would, i e joy flavored cigarettes and i lvoe metnhols im persoanlly glad their not banning it, anyone i know who smoked flavor smokes menthol now, it's not so much a race issue as it is a money hungry issue, our government is raping us for all we've got. gotta love it <3
-alexia
African Americans, being a small percentage of the population can't sustain the tobacco industry into the future; eventually the white majority will be the primary consumers of menthol.
Government is being ridiculous. I am a smoker have been since I was 12yrs old. I am 26 now. When I and most all of my friends back when started smoking it didn't matter what cigs we smoked. It was whatever we got our hands on first. And it was usually reds or menthol. No one i know started smoking flavored until later in life when we became around 19-20. It was also a choice. It was mostly curiosity or wanting to just try it or seeing role model type people (PARENTS,STARS,MUSICIANS, ECT.) doing it and starting the curiosity for the group of kids I hung out with. Its like any drug out there some kids get into them some don't. And I don't see any flavored coke,weed,opium,lsd,or any other drug that lures kids cause its flavored.Yet we still have kids trying, using, and becoming addicted everyday. Alcohol kills 6 ½ times more teenagers than all other illicit drugs combined. So is flavored liquors and certain beers going to be our next freedom and right of choice taken away? More than 25 percent of age 19- under people are overweight or obese. So does that mean that the government is gonna come in and take our fast food away or the junk food or fatty sweets off the market and ban them. I believe that yes no ads would help some, but so would parents talking more to their children. Raising their children to know that with everything they do in life there is consequences good and bad. Back when they took smoking out of public places (live in az.) I was upset. I agreed partially but not fully. Airports, hospitals, school zones, and things of that nature sure take smoking out of, but when they went to extremes and took the rights of bar and restaurant and cig shops and cigar shop owners from allowing smoking that's when it became wrong. If a shop or bar or restaurant owner wants to allow smoking in their place of business who is anyone else to take that away. For gosh sakes even the hookah bar where u can smoke sheesha you cant smoke cigars or cigs in. That is ridiculous. If you don't like it don't go to that place find some where else. Quit forcing your way of life on to someone else. That is what people do all the time. Quit trying to control other peoples lives. Take care of your own. If I wanna smoke, drink, get fat and die happy that way then let me. Everything in life can kill you. Smoking, drinking, drugs, water,sun,too many calories,driving, being inn the shower,ect. lol Its life and we all die one way or another. When its your time its your time. My grandmother is over 100 yrs old she has had a cig in one hand and a bottle of jack in another ever since I can remember from morning til night yet she has not one health problem til this day. Some are lucky. I say protect our people, but don't impose your lifestyle choices onto others. So long as whatever a person is doing is not harming other people in a physical way let them be. Let people make their own choices. Take their own paths and lean their own lessons in life. Quit trying to take others freedom of choice away. You keep your life style. I will keep my flavored cigs, menthol, fast food, and guns. I dont hurt no one and I respect other peoples choices.
Wow.. ridiculous. As somebody else has already said, WHICHEVER way they go, some people are going to cry RACIST, RACIST! If they DID ban menthol cigarettes, they would be racist because it is what most blacks smoke... if they choose not to ban menthols, they are racist because they 'don't care about the health of the black community' COME ON! With every major decision, there are thousands of people making IGNORANT 'racist' accusations.
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