Baltimore may become the first city to try to ban the sale of individual small cigars. City leaders say the cigars, which are sometimes called "loosies" or "blunts," are especially popular among young people.
The Baltimore Sun explains:
The cigars, which have been popularized by hip-hop stars, pack more tobacco than a cigarette and come in flavors such as cherry and grape that appeal to a young crowd. It is this dangerous mingling of status symbol, sweet taste and high tobacco content that has city officials worried.
Sold under brand names such as Black & Mild, White Owl and The Game, the cigars are exempt from laws that prohibit the sale of individual cigarettes. Neighborhood shops sell the cigars, which can also be repacked with marijuana, for as little as 50 cents apiece.
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A recent study by Johns Hopkins University found that 23.9 percent of youth ages 18 to 25 smoked cheap cigars in the last 30 days.
Cigars generally have nicotine levels and tobacco amounts much higher than cigarettes. They are associated with similar health risk as cigarettes, leading to increased risks of heart disease, cancer and lung disease.
Under the proposed regulation, retailers would be required to sell cigars in packs of five. The proposal exempts cigars with a wholesale cost of two dollars or more, as well as cigars sold in tobacco shops.
How popular are these little cigars? YouTube has several videos related to them, including
this one about Black & Mild, one of the cigar brands.
I always thought the young people bought blunts because they'd...
