FDA Moves to Ban All Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars
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Re: FDA Moves to Ban All Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars
#2First ;)
[Edit] so sad :(
Re: FDA Moves to Ban All Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars
#3I wonder if there’s ever been a study comparing the effects of banning compared to ultra high taxation of products.
I understand that there are groups that are negatively affected but is banning even effective in improving health outcomes in this case?
In my imaginary world the tax would be extremely high and diverted to things in the same area that have the opposite effect: e.g make cheeseburgers more expensive and subsidize leafy greens and produce with the same funds on a municipal level.
Re: FDA Moves to Ban All Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars
#4I’m extremely in favor of harm-reduction legislation in general, and I think this ban is a good idea overall. Flavors are effective at hooking young people in particular — lots of vaping research has shown that — and so get it outta here. Great.
But man, “ban menthols because Black people like them” sure feels a little weird.
Like, I get that’s not exactly what’s going on. But.. it’s a little bit what’s going on?
I guess it’s just worth watching closely any time someone talks about protecting disadvantaged groups. I think that is actually what’s happening here, but it’s suuuuch a short rhetorical jump to “well, the under classes can’t be trusted with lottery tickets!” and so on.
Edit: just to make it abundantly clear: I don't think the FDA is actually banning menthols because Black people enjoy them. But I think their reasoning isn't too far from that, and it's worth being watchful for that sort of paternalism, IMO.
Re: FDA Moves to Ban All Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars
#5Frankly this seems paternalistic.
It's hard for me to read this and not translate it as: "We found something non-white people enjoy and we're going to ruin it. For their own good."
Re: FDA Moves to Ban All Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars
#6I’m extremely in favor of harm-reduction legislation in general, and I think this ban is a good idea overall. Flavors are effective at hooking young people in particular — lots of vaping research has shown that — and so get it outta here. Great. But man, “ban menthols because Black people like them” sure feels a little weird. Like, I get that’s not exactly what’s going on. But.. it’s a little bit what’s going on? I g…
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Re: FDA Moves to Ban All Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars
#7On the one hand, I understand that complete prohibition for drugs and alcohol just don't work. But I have a difficult time squaring that against my feelings towards tobacco, where I feel it would be so much easier for me to quit if I wasn't tempted by its availability at every corner store.
Re: FDA Moves to Ban All Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars
#8This just feels like a continuation of the failed war on drugs...
I don't smoke, but I have no problem with allowing people to do so in private spaces. Why do we insist on micromanaging peoples lives?
Re: FDA Moves to Ban All Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars
#9>and address health disparities experienced by communities of color, low-income populations, and LGBTQ+ individuals, all of whom are far more likely to use these tobacco products
The messaging changes with the whims of society, but the authoritarian motivations remain the same.
Re: FDA Moves to Ban All Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars
#10I wonder if there’s ever been a study comparing the effects of banning compared to ultra high taxation of products. I understand that there are groups that are negatively affected but is banning even effective in improving health outcomes in this case? In my imaginary world the tax would be extremely high and diverted to things in the same area that have the opposite effect: e.g make cheeseburgers more expensive and…
Honestly I completely agree. Taxation seems to be the only way to actual instigate change. Too high though you would likely lead to the same result as a full ban.
I could see no real reason for a "blackmarket" to exist for menthol cigarettes as the consumption of them has remained pretty much the same over the last 10 years.