On Point with Juandolyn Stokes welcomed Lt. Diane Goldstein (Ret) Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership to discuss the Food and Drug Administrations' (FDA) proposed ban of Menthol Cigarettes on communities of color.
"Banning products doesn't work," said Goldstein. These actions were taken with alcohol, drugs, and gambling to no avail. She adds, Although the FDA has good intentions, this ban has inequities toward communities of color.
At issue is the prohibition-based approach combined with law enforcement's negative interactions with communities of color, which will only exacerbate those negative interactions in addition to raising incarceration rates thus burdening the criminal justice system. This is not a police issue, but a public health issue that has the potential to be a nightmare for communities of color.
"Law enforcement should not be on public health issues. Policing is a very harmful intervention because although laws can be benign, they can result in horrific consequences," said Goldstein.
Case and point, Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner who was choked to death by members of the New York Police Department who accused him of selling loose, untaxed cigarettes in 2014 spoke about the inherent risk of banning menthol cigarettes to NewsOne.
"Stop the ban, it's not the answer," said Carr. Goldstein says she absolutely agrees with Carr.
The fact remains this ban will have an unintended impact on the street level.
"Policing imposed consequences is not about the menthol, but about the consequences," added Goldstein.
"Bad policy works against certain communities," she says.
For more information on how you can help raise awareness about this issue, please email Goldstein at Diane@lawenforcementaction.org or call your local Congressperson, or contact The White House directly.
