Altria estimates that about 32 million packs of counterfeit cigarettes were seized by law enforcement in 2011, which if sold legally would be about $160 million
These targeted campaigns included manipulation of African American leadership groups, elected officials, Black media, ethnic specific advertising campaigns, and the free distribution of mentholated cigarettes to inner city children as young as nine years old
Sharpton and his group, National Action Network, didn't respond to requests for comment, but in the past, they've acknowledged working with and receiving funding from tobacco companies including in fighting in New York state, which has considered a menthol ban
The Eve brand, launched in 1971 by Liggett & Myers, intentionally chose both a feminine package design and a truly female name, according to industry documents
"Marketing of menthol cigarettes and consumer perceptions: a review of tobacco industry documents." Tobacco control 20.Suppl 2 (2011): ii20-ii28