It’s a new hurdle.
Menthol cigarettes have faced increasing scrutiny in the United States, particularly for their role in encouraging smoking among Black Americans, leading several states and cities to ban these products. In response, the tobacco industry has introduced “menthol mimics” that replicate the cooling effect of menthol, and smokers have begun exploring these alternatives, according to a recent study published on January 14 in JAMA Network Open. The study, led by Kelvin Choi of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, found that a significant number of U.S. adults are aware of and have experimented with cigarettes that use synthetic cooling agents to mimic menthol.
The research indicated that these synthetic alternatives could undermine public health efforts aimed at reducing smoking, particularly the potential benefits of a menthol cigarette ban. Menthol in cigarettes helps mask the harshness of the smoke, making it easier for individuals to start smoking and allowing for deeper inhalation, which increases nicotine intake. Despite the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s proposal to ban menthol cigarettes, the move has stalled under the Biden administration. However, several states and cities, including Massachusetts, California, and cities in Colorado, Illinois, and Ohio, have implemented their own bans.
The study also found that 24% of menthol smokers quit after a menthol cigarette ban, which prompted tobacco companies to introduce cigarettes using a synthetic cooling agent called WS-3. This additive is colorless, flavorless, and has been marketed as a substitute for menthol. To understand how well these new products were received, researchers surveyed 3,200 U.S. adults and discovered that nearly 30% were aware of the menthol-mimicking cigarettes. Additionally, 37% of those who were aware of the products had tried them, and 25% were still using them, with another 37% expressing interest in trying them.
Among menthol smokers aware of the synthetic cooling agents, half indicated they would likely switch to these alternatives if menthol cigarettes were banned. The awareness of menthol mimics was particularly high among Black Americans, current smokers, and individuals living in states with existing menthol bans. Importantly, revealing the name of the synthetic agent did not deter interest in the product. The study suggests further research is needed on how to effectively communicate the potential risks associated with these menthol-mimicking cigarettes to the public.
Discussion about this post