TEXAS – The Federal Drug Administration is beginning to take a closer look at how flavored tobacco products affect addiction.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows African Americans are more likely to be exposed to tobacco ads.

“It hurts to see them target our demographic with such a harmful product for money,” said Jonathan Kee with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

During a college panel anti-smoking advocates warned of tobacco companies’ changing tactics.

“A lot of times it’s spending hundreds of billions of dollars on advertising and trying to find products that are going to reach youth and specifically we know that tobacco use starts out typically before the age of 21 which encompasses about 90 percent of users,” said Ana Ramon with the American Cancer Society.

Anti-smoking advocates believe flavored tobacco products are getting younger people to develop bad habits. The advocates said the only way to make change is to take action.

“It’s about sharing your story, it’s empowering each other, empowering voices, joining coalitions, and being active in city councils,” said Ramon.

Texas has the 28th highest cigarette tax in the country at $1.41 per pack.

“Preach to the youth. To continue to let our peers know about what’s going on and as long as we do that our numbers can grow. One of us knows, we tell two, they tell four,” said Kee.