By Staff Writer
Many adolescents smoke menthol cigarettes when they first experiment with the harmful substance. The products' minty flavoring makes it more appealing to some Americans.
However, early experimenters can become addicted to nicotine, which may lead to long-term health problems and possibly death.
As a result, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a federal ban on menthol cigarettes. A new survey reveals that a majority of Americans support the new policy.
Researchers from the Center for Child and Adolescent Health Policy polled 1,514 Americans, of whom 56 percent approved of a ban on menthol tobacco products. A total of 68 percent of African American respondents said that they approve of the ban, which is notable because menthol-flavored cigarettes are particularly popular among black smokers.
According to a past study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than three out of every four African American smokers prefer menthol cigarettes over other flavors, compared to only one of every four Caucasian smokers.
Adolescents who are addicted to cigarettes may benefit from the programs that are offered by boarding schools for troubled children.