New Jersey could become the first state to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes

New Jersey could become the first state to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes. Democratic Assemblyman Herb Conaway ’85, a physician and chairman of the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee, is sponsoring a bill that would add menthol-flavored cigarettes to New Jersey’s list of prohibited flavored cigarettes.

Menthol, which has cooling, desensitizing, and pro-analgesic effects, is attractive to young first-time smokers, putting them at risk of adverse health effects and addiction, according to the bill. The bill also mentions that women, communities with lower socioeconomic status, and African-American communities are disproportionately affected.

Menthol cigarettes marketing has heavily targeted black communities. Nearly 80 percent of black smokers prefer menthol cigarettes, compared to 21 percent of white smokers, and black men and women are more likely to die of lung cancer.