Menthol Cigarettes are commonly associated with being more addictive than regular cigarettes. Whether that is true or not is a subject of ongoing debate, but what is clear, is that menthol makes it easier smoke as the menthol reduces the protective respiratory responses to irritants in cigarette smoke.
According to a study completed by researchers at Yale and the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, published online in September in The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, scientists concluded that menthol posed the biggest danger to young smokers. “Menthol may make smoke inhalation easier to tolerate and therefore promote nicotine addiction and smoking-related illness,” said author Sven-Eric Jordt, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmacology at the School of Medicine. “Studies indicate that most young people smoke menthol cigarettes. So, they are being exposed to higher levels of nicotine and other toxic substances at a young age, which may lead to rapid addiction and ultimately to the development of smoking-related disease.”
In 2016 the European Union’s Tobacco Products Directive came into being but provided a grace period that ends on May 20th, 2020. The ban was integrated into English law via Tobacco and Related Product Regulations Act, 2016 which prohibits the sale of cigarettes with a characterising flavour. Essentially, if you can a smell or taste something other than tobacco, and that taste/smell is noticeable before and during consumption, then it is no longer legal in the UK.
After May 20th, 2020 it will be offence to manufacture or sell a cigarette or hand rolling tobacco with:
a filter, paper, package, capsule or other component containing flavourings
a filter, paper or capsule containing tobacco or nicotine or
a technical feature allowing the consumer to modify the smell, taste, or smoke intensity of the product.
The ban does not affect e-cigarettes or oral nicotine pouches.
Yes. The ban of menthol cigarettes and additive products does not apply to vaping or e-liquids in any way,
Yes. Additionally, there are a range of menthol flavours to choose from, including a Menthol NIC Salt which delivers a throat hit more closely associated with smoking.
No, there is no difference between menthol and other flavour E-Liquids. Vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking.1 Switching to vaping menthol will dramatically reduce the impact on your body. NHS Smoke Free services fully support the use of e-cigarettes as an aid to quit smoking.
If you are considering switching to vaping to quit smoking, we have a dedicated programme designed to help you quit smoking for good. To learn more check out our SWITCH TO QUIT programme.
