That’s the question Jacob Sullum asks in his new article at Reason. Read it here.
Last week I sent the following letter to The New York Times:
Thursday’s article about legislation to ban all cigarette flavorings except menthol quotes former federal health secretaries arguing that the bill “discriminates against African-Americans.” If any proposal could be said to discriminate against African-Americans, it is perhaps the idea that we should prohibit the menthol cigarettes that three-quarters of black smokers prefer. To deny them their choice is to imply that they cannot be trusted to make their own decisions and that they are helpless victims of marketing; in short, to treat them like the children the bill is intended to protect.
There are many reasons to oppose the Philip Morris-backed legislation to give the FDA regulatory authority over tobacco, including manipulation by the industry, loss of variety, and potential bans on safer alternatives to existing cigarettes. Introducing race into the debate is a distraction from these important considerations.
They printed this one from the president of Lorillard Tobacco instead.
Previously:
Freshly minted bias
Cigars for me, but not for thee
Jacob Grier is a freelance writer, barista, mixologist, and magician in Portland, OR. He writes, eats, and drinks a lot. His articles have appeared in The Washington Post, Reason Online, The Oregonian, and other publications.
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