EON

Tobacco Companies Are Intentionally Aiming At Young People

Boston, MA- A team of researchers from Harvard University is revealing the tactics and intent of various tobacco companies in targeting cigarette sales to minors and young people.

The scientists from the Harvard University research group looked at different types of cigarettes, and discovered that menthol masks the harsh taste and initial difficulty in learning how to smoke, and so it is often ideal to entice children to smoke.

Industry documents found in the United States Tobacco business show that different US firms tested menthol cigarettes for their appeal to different age levels.

US Tobacco industry officials deny that such age targeted testing has ever taken place, despite evidence uncovered by the Harvard team.

The new study is being published in the American Journal of Public Health, and looks at a survey of 2006 US smokers and it found that a lot more young people and adolescents prefer menthol brands of cigarettes.

Young people age 12 to 17 years of age prefer menthol-tasting cigarettes 43.8 percent of the time, and nearly 36 percent of 18 to 24 year olds also prefer the menthol tasting cigarette brands.