Comments on: Smoking related diseases are the number one cause of death in African-Americans http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/12/smoking-related-diseases-number-death-africanamericans.html Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: ljhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/12/smoking-related-diseases-number-death-africanamericans.html#comment-122661 lj Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:46:10 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=41838#comment-122661 Smoking is hazardous to smokers no matter who is smoking. My mother started at age 11; never beleived she would be affected, and has spent 3 years being treated for larynx cancer. Once you watch a loved one go through that, you want to walk up to every smoker and tell them what they are in for. Why continue to manufacture poison? We tell fishermen they have to stop fishing when it is their livelihood, why can't we stop tobacco production? Smoking is hazardous to smokers no matter who is smoking. My mother started at age 11; never beleived she would be affected, and has spent 3 years being treated for larynx cancer. Once you watch a loved one go through that, you want to walk up to every smoker and tell them what they are in for. Why continue to manufacture poison? We tell fishermen they have to stop fishing when it is their livelihood, why can’t we stop tobacco production?

]]> By: Kaitlynhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/12/smoking-related-diseases-number-death-africanamericans.html#comment-122371 Kaitlyn Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:20:52 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=41838#comment-122371 A recent post by Dr. Erin Marcus includes factual errors that need to be corrected. Contrary to Dr. Marcus’ assertion, Lorillard and all of the other major tobacco companies do not sponsor any events in the name of a tobacco product, and we stopped advertising on billboards, signs in arenas, stadiums, shopping malls, or other large signs viewable by the general public more than a decade ago.The fact is that adult smoking rates in the U.S. continue to decline, and youth rates are at historic lows. Furthermore, smoking rates among African American youth are dramatically lower than that of other race groups. In partnership with Monitoring the Future, the University of Michigan conducted a survey among 12th graders in 2009 which found that there were substantial differences among white, African American, and Hispanic students who reported using cigarettes within the prior 30 days of the survey.Specifically this survey found that white 12th graders smoke at more than twice the rate of African American 12th graders – and this disparity (rates that are two- to three-times as high) has existed over the last 20 years.According to this survey of 12th graders, the percentage breakdown of those who smoke are: White – 23.9% Hispanic – 15.7% African American – 9.8%Importantly, despite assertions from some advocacy groups, the current weight of scientific evidence does not support the conclusion that menthol cigarettes confer a greater health risk than non-menthol cigarettes.Posted on behalf of Lorillard Tobacco Company A recent post by Dr. Erin Marcus includes factual errors that need to be corrected. Contrary to Dr. Marcus’ assertion, Lorillard and all of the other major tobacco companies do not sponsor any events in the name of a tobacco product, and we stopped advertising on billboards, signs in arenas, stadiums, shopping malls, or other large signs viewable by the general public more than a decade ago.

The fact is that adult smoking rates in the U.S. continue to decline, and youth rates are at historic lows. Furthermore, smoking rates among African American youth are dramatically lower than that of other race groups. In partnership with Monitoring the Future, the University of Michigan conducted a survey among 12th graders in 2009 which found that there were substantial differences among white, African American, and Hispanic students who reported using cigarettes within the prior 30 days of the survey.

Specifically this survey found that white 12th graders smoke at more than twice the rate of African American 12th graders – and this disparity (rates that are two- to three-times as high) has existed over the last 20 years.

According to this survey of 12th graders, the percentage breakdown of those who smoke are:
White – 23.9%
Hispanic – 15.7%
African American – 9.8%

Importantly, despite assertions from some advocacy groups, the current weight of scientific evidence does not support the conclusion that menthol cigarettes confer a greater health risk than non-menthol cigarettes.

Posted on behalf of Lorillard Tobacco Company

]]> By: Happy Hospitalisthttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/12/smoking-related-diseases-number-death-africanamericans.html#comment-122322 Happy Hospitalist Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:01:14 +0000 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/?p=41838#comment-122322 The fact that rich smokers die as young as poor smokers and minorities make up a disproportionate number of poor says volumes about the dynamics of poverty related health care. It's not about having insurance or not having insurance. It's about not smoking and taking care of yourself. The fact that rich smokers die as young as poor smokers and minorities make up a disproportionate number of poor says volumes about the dynamics of poverty related health care. It’s not about having insurance or not having insurance. It’s about not smoking and taking care of yourself.

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