This is partly due to advertising that especially targets African Americans. There are four to five times as many tobacco billboards in African-American neighborhoods as there are in Caucasian neighborhoods, according to the Cancer Society. But tobacco companies use many other means to get African Americans to buy their products. They place lots of ads in African American magazines and newspapers and in local stores. They also sponsor music shows, sports, theater and dance programs, art shows and other programs.
Most smokers smoke more when they are upset or bothered.
This also is true for African American smokers. Many African Americans face problems of living with little money, joblessness, poor housing and crime. The stress of dealing with discrimination and racism also makes life harder. However, smoking doesn't solve any of these problems. The health risks of smoking are well documented.