In 2020, following a long-term investigation into an individuals cigarette smuggling activity, a process including court-authorized search warrants, wiretaps, grand jury subpoenas, and other investigative tools, New York seized more than $1.3 million in cash and 6,267 cartons of untaxed cigarettes, according to a press release from the Queens District Attorney.[2] But even law enforcement successes are costly and only stop a drop of water in the Hudson River of smuggling activity
Considering the consequences Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, says the study is easy to believe. The smaller particles in filtered cigarettes get past the bronchial tubes into the smaller tubes, called bronchioles, he said, explaining that this irritates the tissue in the periphery of the lung, where adenocarcinomas are found
But some smokers also wrongly believe it is more natural and contains fewer chemicals
The resulting report concluded that allowing menthol in cigarettes harmed public health and that they should be removed from the marketplace