African-Americans and Tobacco

In 1988, nearly 48,000 African Americans died because of smoking, according to the American Cancer Society.

More African Americans die from diseases caused by smoking than from car crashes, AIDS, murder and drugs. African Americans get sick and die from smoking-related illnesses more than any other group of Americans. Before the 1950s, smoking was less common in African Americans than Caucasians, but now more than 7 million African Americans smoke.

This is partly due to advertising that especially targets African Americans. There are four to five times as many tobacco billboards in African-American neighborhoods as there are in Caucasian neighborhoods, according to the Cancer Society. But tobacco companies use many other means to get African Americans to buy their products. They place lots of ads in African American magazines and newspapers and in local stores. They also sponsor music shows, sports, theater and dance programs, art shows and other programs.

Most smokers smoke more when they are upset or bothered. This also is true for African American smokers. Many African Americans face problems of living with little money, joblessness, poor housing and crime. The stress of dealing with discrimination and racism also makes life harder.

However, smoking doesn't solve any of these problems.

The health risks of smoking are well documented. They include lung cancer, heart attacks, strokes and emphysema as well as cancers of the throat, mouth, bladder and pancreas. Babies born to mothers who smoke can be more sickly. Smoking has been linked to increased chances of miscarriage and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

	If you smoke, quit.
	Support smokers who are trying to quit. Ask the person how you can help. If someone refuses your offer, that's okay. Let them know you will be there for them if help is needed.
	Try not to smoke around other people.
	If you don't think you can quit, at least try switching to a brand with less nicotine or reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke.
	Fight the tobacco industry. It's hard to go up against an industry that gives money and job to African-Americans. But we must think about the cost in sickness and death.