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Cleaning out my parents' old house this weekend and found an April 1987 copy of Ebony.
Working with @ClearWayMN recently had me thinking about menthol ads targeting the Black community (recall from childhood), so here's a thread on it.
The mag was 146 pages.
#publichealth
/1
Working with @ClearWayMN recently had me thinking about menthol ads targeting the Black community (recall from childhood), so here's a thread on it.
The mag was 146 pages.
#publichealth
/1
Let's talk menthol facts - i.e., scientific research.
Regarding menthol:
Advertising targeted at the Black community
Easier to start (less harsh)
Harder to quit (more addictive)
> lung-related disease
Now seen as a "Black" thing (but only marketing!!)
/2
Regarding menthol:
Advertising targeted at the Black community Easier to start (less harsh) Harder to quit (more addictive) > lung-related disease Now seen as a "Black" thing (but only marketing!!)/2
Also notable in this 1987 publication...
Apparently there was a "resurgence" of racism in the US at that time too!
I'll just let this speak for itself...
/3
Apparently there was a "resurgence" of racism in the US at that time too!
I'll just let this speak for itself...
/3
1st - Carlton. Not one of the "classic" menthol brands in my estimation and they don't really formally mention menthol in the ad.
However - the warning seems to only talk about menthol. Hm...
/4
However - the warning seems to only talk about menthol. Hm...
/4
2nd - Benson & Hedges, and definitely focused on menthol and showing Black folx.
This B & H one was particularly close-to-home because this is the brand my parents smoked until about the time I started college. (They didn't quit smoking, just changed brands, sadly.)
/5
This B & H one was particularly close-to-home because this is the brand my parents smoked until about the time I started college. (They didn't quit smoking, just changed brands, sadly.)
/5
3rd - Newport. Clearly targeted to a Black audience and I don't even think non-menthol Newport exist... do they?
Pretty representative of the kinds of ads I remember seeing in Jet and Ebony as a kid.
And Newport _is_ one of those "classic" menthol brands seen everywhere.
/6
Pretty representative of the kinds of ads I remember seeing in Jet and Ebony as a kid.
And Newport _is_ one of those "classic" menthol brands seen everywhere.
/6
4th - Yves Saint Laurent??!?!? Is that even a cigarette brand??
Well apparently so. I guess this is your "high-class" marketing.
Both menthol and non-Menthol shown.
/7
Well apparently so. I guess this is your "high-class" marketing.
Both menthol and non-Menthol shown.
/7
5th - Salem. Another "classic" menthol brand.
Note only menthols shown in the ad.
This was the ENTIRE BACK COVER of the magazine!!
/8
Note only menthols shown in the ad.
This was the ENTIRE BACK COVER of the magazine!!
/8
So what did we observe from 1987 Ebony?
There certainly is plenty of clear evidence of targeted menthol ads in the Black community here.
Of the 5 ads - we got 1 double-page ad, 3 full-page ads (incl. back cover), and one ad spanning the header of two pages.
/9
There certainly is plenty of clear evidence of targeted menthol ads in the Black community here.
Of the 5 ads - we got 1 double-page ad, 3 full-page ads (incl. back cover), and one ad spanning the header of two pages.
/9
In conclusion, flavored tobacco, and particularly menthol, is a serious #publichealth issue.
Also a Black #healthequity issue in context of the disproportionate menthol smoking rates, smoking-related disease, and targeted marketing.
@TCMSMN @ClearWayMN @LaTrishaVetaw
/10 - fin
Also a Black #healthequity issue in context of the disproportionate menthol smoking rates, smoking-related disease, and targeted marketing.
@TCMSMN @ClearWayMN @LaTrishaVetaw
/10 - fin
