Widespread Misperceptions Among U.S. Adults About Tobacco Company Engagement in Black and African American Communities.

Tobacco companies have a history of predatory marketing that promotes flavored tobacco products to Black/African American (B/AA) individuals and more recently has spread disinformation to dissuade policy support for menthol cigarette/flavored cigar (MC/FC) bans. It is unclear what are the perceptions of tobacco company engagement and activities in B/AA communities related to MC/FC. Our study shows that B/AA adults and current cigarette smokers hold misperceptions about tobacco companies' role in spreading disinformation about MC/FC. This study identified beliefs about the industry's role in funding B/AA organizations and lobbyists who oppose policy, as well as the industry's denial of menthol cigarette and flavored cigar harms as potential messaging targets for communication efforts designed to correct disinformation about MC/FC policies among B/AA and those who currently smoke MC.