Press Releases
From Slavery to Seduction
Lafayette, LA, February 16, 2005 – Tobacco companies, whose early successes were built on the backs of African slaves, now specifically target African Americans with glamorous images and community sponsorships as the white populations tobacco use declines. But that isnt the worst news. African Americans suffer disproportionately from chronic, preventable diseases attributed to tobacco use. The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living is urging greater awareness of these issues during February, Black History Month.
Black History Month is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about a chronic, pervasive public health problem among African Americans in our state, says Tom Houston, MD, director of the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living. Were thinking about both the tragedy of slavery in our history – much of which was propelled by tobacco plantations – and the accomplishments of African Americans. Reducing the toxic effects of tobacco use among Louisianas black population would be a great accomplishment for all of us.
The facts also support the urgent need for tobacco prevention specific to African Americans. African Americans have higher rates of smoking-related diseases. In fact, black men have a lung cancer death rate 50 percent higher than white men, and this is directly attributable to smoking, says Dr. Houston. Part of this may be due to higher rates of menthol cigarette use – a product that is directly targeted to the African-American community. Menthol cigarette smokers tend to inhale more deeply, because of the anesthetic properties of the menthol, but mentholated cigarettes are higher in tar and nicotine than non-mentholated.
Unfortunately, these health issues affect those living with smokers or exposed to smoke at work or during leisure activities as well. Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, among all ethnic groups.
In addition, one in every 10 African American women reports smoking during pregnancy, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Smoking and secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy causes low birthweight, which places babies at risk for ongoing health problems, developmental delays and death before reaching age one. Secondhand smoke also increases the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, respiratory illnesses and asthma among infants and children.
TFL urges all Louisiana residents to reject the tobacco industrys targeting of our African American residents, says Dr. Houston. One of our primary goals is to reduce these disparities in the health of various parts of our population. Educating people about the toxic effects of tobacco use among African Americans and the significance of tobacco company tactics is one of the most effective ways to do this.
The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living provides statewide coordination of existing tobacco control initiatives, funds innovative community programming for tobacco control, and develops statewide media campaigns to help reduce the excessive burden of tobacco use on the states resources and improve Louisianas overall health and quality of life.
Tobacco Fact: Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, 69 of which cause cancer. The air in smoke-filled rooms contains 6 times more carbon monoxide than you would inhale standing in the middle of the busiest freeway during rush hour. Among those dangerous substances are formaldehyde, cyanide, arsenic, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, benzene, tar and radioactive polonium-210.
