Watch CBS News

Stanford Study: Tobacco Firms Use Predatory Methods To Sell Menthol

PALO ALTO (KCBS) - New research conducted at the Stanford School of Medicine found that tobacco companies simultaneously increased advertising and lowered the price of menthol cigarettes, in a bid to lure young African-Americans into becoming smokers.

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

The study, released Friday, considered 400 stores in California, specifically outlets and shops near or within walking distance of high schools with significant minority student populations.

"In those neighborhoods there's a larger proportion of cigarette advertising for menthol cigarettes," explained lead researcher, Lisa Henricksen, M.D. "There's a larger chance that when you walk into a store you'll see an advertised discount for menthol cigarettes and it's not that all cigarettes are cheaper, it's just menthol cigarettes."

"The Food and Drug Administration is poised to make a decision about banning menthol from cigarettes," Henricksen continued. "And our study provides them with some further evidence that tobacco companies are targeting young people and African-Americans with ads and promotions for these cigarettes."

Cigarette manufacturers, however, have denied using race or ethnicity to target customers.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.