I have NEVER heard of “cigarette men” driving aroound handing out packs of menthols to kids. Not even in the 60’s. Unless the guy was the neighborhood pervert.
My father told me every once in a while he would get some free cigs when he went to the grocery store...and he would only see them in the black part of town though he didn’t mention anything about kids.
I’m not blaming the cigarette companies and that woman made her choice long ago but lets be honest, some standards didn’t apply back them especially in black neighborhoods. Growing up I got an earful of horror stories from my father and grandfather on the crap both the city and private companies pulled and got away with back then.