Former Smoker’s Open-Heart Surgery Highlights Dangers of Menthol Cigarettes
Tammy W., a member of the Little Travers Bay Bands of Odawa Indians tribe, never expected that her habit of smoking menthol cigarettes would lead to open-heart surgery. But at age 44, Tammy found herself in the operating room, flatlining three times and suffering a stroke. Although she has since recovered, Tammy’s life has been forever changed. Her story is just one of 45 former smokers participating in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) national Tips From Former Smokers campaign, which aims to encourage people to quit smoking.
The campaign, which recently resumed after running from 2012 to 2018, has been successful in motivating smokers to quit. According to CDC surveys, 16.4 million smokers attempted to quit during the original campaign, with 1 million succeeding. However, cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Dr. Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, director of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, emphasizes that certain groups are disproportionately affected by smoking-related health issues.
One of the key focuses of the new campaign is the dangers of menthol cigarettes. These cigarettes have become increasingly popular among historically marginalized communities and have contributed to worsening tobacco-related health disparities. The CDC highlights that young people, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, women, people with low incomes, and those with mental health conditions are more likely to smoke menthol cigarettes than other groups.
Menthol cigarettes have several characteristics that make them appealing to smokers. The menthol flavor masks the taste and smell of cigarettes while also numbing the throat, making it easier to inhale the smoke. Additionally, menthol enhances the effects of nicotine on the brain, making cigarettes even more addictive. Tobacco companies have specifically targeted marginalized groups, such as Black Americans and LGBTQ+ individuals, with their marketing tactics. These tactics include sponsoring events, advertising in magazines with high Black readership, and even sponsoring major music festivals.
The impact of menthol cigarette marketing on Black smokers is particularly alarming. A 2020 study revealed that while 43% of all adult smokers use menthol cigarettes, more than 83% of Black smokers do. This targeted marketing has contributed to the significant disparities in smoking-related illnesses and deaths between Black and White populations. Black people make up only 12% of the US population but account for 41% of smoking-related premature deaths and 50% of the life-years lost due to menthol tobacco product use.
Recognizing the devastating health toll caused by menthol cigarettes, the federal government is considering a ban on these products. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent final rules on banning menthol cigarettes to the White House for review. However, the issue has faced delays, leading to frustration among anti-tobacco groups who see it as politics getting in the way of public health.
The potential benefits of a menthol cigarette ban are significant. A 2022 study estimated that banning menthol cigarettes would save up to 654,000 lives in the US within 40 years, including 255,000 members of the Black community. Lung cancer deaths between Black and White populations would close within five years of implementing the ban. Despite concerns raised by the tobacco industry about criminal charges and an underground market, experts argue that the regulations would only penalize companies that make or sell noncompliant products.
The proposed ban has garnered support from major public health and medical associations, as well as civil rights and social justice advocacy groups. These organizations recognize the devastating impact of menthol cigarettes on marginalized communities and are advocating for action to protect public health.
Tammy W.’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of menthol cigarettes. Her experience of undergoing open-heart surgery and the subsequent complications she faced highlight the urgent need for action. The Tips From Former Smokers campaign, along with the potential menthol cigarette ban, aims to save lives and reduce the disparities in smoking-related illnesses and deaths. By sharing stories like Tammy’s, the CDC hopes to encourage more people to quit smoking and protect their health.
