Banning Menthol Cigarettes: A Social Justice Issue Long Overdue.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Delnevo CD
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7542641 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Banning Menthol Cigarettes: A Social Justice Issue Long Overdue.
Delnevo Cristine D CD Ganz Ollie O Goodwin Renee D RD
Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco 20201001 10
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Project description:Although much is known about smoking cessation behavior, the vast majority of research has not assessed menthol as an independent factor. The objective of this review is to assess the effects, if any, that use of menthol cigarettes has on smoking cessation success in adults and youth. A total of 20 articles are included in this review. Although some studies have found that menthol smokers have less success in quitting smoking, others fail to find significant differences between menthol and non-menthol smokers. Some clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of various cessation treatments have suggested that menthol smokers have poorer outcomes, however two secondary data analysis studies (which used the same original dataset) failed to find any difference in success rate associated with particular treatments. Although there is some suggestion that smoking menthol cigarettes is associated with worse cessation outcomes, differences are not always found. However, if there was a difference, it was always in the direction of worse outcomes for menthol smokers. Given that Black/African American smokers prefer menthol cigarettes more than White smokers, possible interactions with race/ethnicity are discussed.
| S-EPMC3102905 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To assess the relations of menthol cigarette use with measures of cessation success in a large comparative effectiveness trial (CET).Participants were randomized to one of six medication treatment conditions in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. All participants received six individual counseling sessions.Community-based smokers in two communities in Wisconsin, USA.A total of 1504 adult smokers who smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day during the past 6 months and reported being motivated to quit smoking. The analysis sample comprised 1439 participants: 814 white non-menthol smokers, 439 white menthol smokers and 186 African American (AA) menthol smokers. There were too few AA non-menthol smokers (n = 16) to be included in the analyses.Nicotine lozenge, nicotine patch, bupropion sustained release, nicotine patch + nicotine lozenge, bupropion + nicotine lozenge and placebo.Biochemically confirmed 7-day point-prevalence abstinence assessed at 4, 8 and 26 weeks post-quit.In longitudinal abstinence analyses (generalized estimating equations) controlling for cessation treatment, menthol smoking was associated with reduced likelihood of smoking cessation success relative to non-menthol smoking [model-based estimates of abstinence = 31 versus 38%, respectively; odds ratio (OR) = 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.59, 0.86]. In addition, among menthol smokers, AA women were at especially high risk of cessation failure relative to white women (estimated abstinence = 17 versus 35%, respectively; OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.75, 3.96; estimated abstinence rates for AA males and white males were both 30%, OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.60, 1.66).In the United States, smoking menthol cigarettes appears to be associated with reduced cessation success compared with non-menthol smoking, especially in African American females.
| S-EPMC4443703 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionBans of menthol characterizing flavor in cigarettes have been implemented in some localities and have been proposed more broadly. One proposed benefit of such a ban is to increase cessation rates among current menthol smokers. There is currently relatively limited data regarding how smoking behavior changes if menthol smokers switch to non-menthol cigarettes.Aims and methodsAfrican American menthol smokers interested in quitting smoking were randomized to either continue smoking menthol (n = 60) or switch to non-menthol cigarettes (n = 62) for 1 month prior to a cessation attempt. Cessation results were reported previously; this analysis reports the results from the pre-cessation visits at which amount smoked, exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) concentration, urinary cotinine concentrations, and subjective measures were assessed.ResultsOver the 4-week study period, those switching to non-menthol (vs. continuing to smoke menthol) cigarettes smoked fewer cigarettes per day (mean ratio: 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76, 0.98; p = .02), reported lower withdrawal symptom severity (mean difference -1.29; 95% CI: -2.6 to -0.01; p = .05) and higher perceived effectiveness of their skills for quitting smoking (mean difference 0.56; 95% CI: 0.02-1.10; p = .05). No significant differences were found between groups in exhaled CO, urinary cotinine concentrations, or most other subjective effects including support for a ban on menthol characterizing flavor in cigarettes.ConclusionsThese results suggest that were menthol cigarettes no longer available, those that switch to non-menthol cigarettes would not change their smoking behavior in a way that is likely to be more hazardous, with some indicators suggesting that there may be some benefit.Clinicaltrials.gov # NCT02342327.ImplicationsA ban on menthol characterizing flavor in cigarettes has been proposed as a potential means by which to increase smoking cessation rates among current menthol cigarette smokers. This study evaluated how African American menthol cigarette smokers adjusted their smoking behavior after switching to non-menthol cigarettes. Although the overall differences between groups were modest, they were in a direction consistent with decreased smoking suggesting that current smokers would not adjust their behavior in a way that is likely to be more hazardous, with some indicators suggesting that there may be some benefits.
| S-EPMC8496474 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionMenthol cigarette use remains a serious public health problem, prompting the consideration of tobacco regulatory efforts to ban menthol cigarettes. The current study uses a novel empirical design to model the potential effects of a ban of menthol cigarettes on smoking behaviour among current menthol smokers.Methods29 non-treatment-seeking adults who smoked menthol cigarettes were recruited in Connecticut in 2017-2018 (n=15 female; n=17 Black, n=10 White, n=5 Hispanic). Repeated-measures analyses examined within-person changes in smoking behaviour when participants were switched from smoking their usual brand menthol cigarettes to a matched-brand non-menthol cigarette for 2 weeks to model a potential ban of menthol cigarettes.ResultsParticipants smoked significantly fewer non-menthol (vs menthol) cigarettes per day (mean decrease=2.2 cigarettes, SD=3.2, p<0.001), confirmed by significant reductions in urine cotinine levels (p=0.013). After switching to non-menthol cigarettes, participants had significantly lower nicotine dependence scores (reduced by >18%, p<0.001) and greater increases in quitting motivation and confidence (rated 1-10) (motivation: mean increase=2.1, SD=2.8, p<0.001; confidence: mean increase=1.3, SD=3.3, p=0.04). Exploratory analyses indicated significant interactions by race (p=0.004); Black smokers had greater reductions in cigarettes per day (mean decrease=3.5 cigarettes, SD=2.8) versus non-Black smokers (mean decrease=0.2, SD=2.6).ConclusionsBanning menthol as a characterising flavour in cigarettes may decrease smoking and reduce the addictive potential of cigarettes among current smokers. Results provide additional support for tobacco regulatory policies banning menthol flavour in an effort to improve public health.Trial registrationNCT03075839.
| S-EPMC7259442 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC10113694 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Objectives. To examine responses to hypothetical restrictions on menthol cigarettes among young adult menthol smokers in the United States.Methods. We surveyed Truth Initiative Young Adult Cohort respondents 18 to 34 years of age every 6 months from December 2011 through October 2016. Menthol cigarette smokers (n = 806, n = 1963 observations) indicated their response if menthol cigarettes were unavailable. Weighted analyses accounting for repeated measures were used to estimate the prevalence and correlates of responses and trends over time.Results. Overall, 23.5% of young adult menthol smokers said they would quit if menthol cigarettes were unavailable, with this response largely unchanged between 2011 and 2016. There was a significant increase in the switch to another tobacco product response (from 7.4% to 13.2%; P = .01) associated with current noncigarette use. In adjusted analyses, African Americans, women, those with less than a high school education, and those with any quit intention were more likely to say they would quit smoking.Conclusions. Increased intentions to switch products suggest the acceptability and availability of alternatives to menthol cigarette smokers. Menthol cigarette restrictions benefit vulnerable groups and those interested in quitting, but the availability of menthol in noncigarette products could limit benefits.
| S-EPMC6726504 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Menthol is widely used in tobacco products. This study compared the effects of menthol on human bronchial epithelium using submerged cultures, a VITROCELL® cloud chamber that provides air liquid interface (ALI) exposure without solvents or heating, and a Cultex ALI system that delivers aerosol equivalent to that inhaled during vaping. In submerged culture, menthol significantly increased calcium influx and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the TRPM8 receptor, responses that were inhibited by a TRPM8 antagonist. VITROCELL® cloud chamber exposure of BEAS-2B monolayers increased mitochondrial protein oxidation, expression of the antioxidant enzyme SOD2, activation of NF-κB, and secretion of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8). Proteomics data collected following ALI exposure of 3D EpiAirway tissue in the Cultex showed upregulation of NRF-2-mediated oxidative stress, oxidative phosphorylation, and IL-8 signaling. Across the three platforms, menthol adversely effected human bronchial epithelium in a manner that could lead to respiratory disease.
| S-EPMC8167901 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its intention to reduce the nicotine content in cigarettes as a strategy to promote cessation and reduce smoking-related harm. A low nicotine product standard will apply to all cigarettes on the market, including menthol cigarettes. In December 2021, the FDA approved a modified risk tobacco product application for menthol and non-menthol flavoured very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNC) from the 22nd Century Group. Notably, experimentation with menthol cigarettes is linked to smoking progression, as well as greater nicotine dependence relative to non-menthol cigarette use. If menthol VLNCs are perceived as more appealing than non-menthol VLNCs, this would indicate that some aspect of menthol may maintain smoking even in the absence of nicotine and FDA's regulatory authority to ban or restrict the sale of menthol cigarettes should apply to reduced nicotine content of cigarettes. In April 2022, the FDA announced proposed rulemaking to prohibit menthol cigarettes, however it is unclear if a menthol prohibition would apply to VLNCs.Methods and analysisThis study will recruit 172 young adult menthol smokers (with a specific subsample of n=40 sexual and gender minority young adults) and measure appeal for smoking experimental menthol and non-menthol VLNCs, and the impact of proposed product standards on tobacco product purchasing behaviour using an Experimental Tobacco Marketplace. Appeal across product standards will be assessed in a controlled laboratory and using ecological momentary assessment.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol was approved by the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Institutional Review Board (#11865). Findings will examine the effects of a reduced nicotine standard and a menthol ban on young adult smoking and will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal articles and presentations at scientific conferences.Trial registration numberNCT04340947.
| S-EPMC9680144 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundAlthough menthol was not banned under the Tobacco Control Act, the law made it clear that this did not prevent the Food and Drug Administration from issuing a product standard to ban menthol to protect public health. The purpose of this review was to update the evidence synthesis regarding the role of menthol in initiation, dependence and cessation.MethodsA systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature on menthol cigarettes via a PubMed search through May 9, 2017. The National Cancer Institute's Bibliography of Literature on Menthol and Tobacco and the FDA's 2011 report and 2013 addendum were reviewed for additional publications. Included articles addressing initiation, dependence, and cessation were synthesized based on study design and quality, consistency of evidence across populations and over time, coherence of findings across studies, and plausibility of the findings.ResultsEighty-two studies on menthol cigarette initiation (n = 46), dependence (n = 14), and cessation (n = 34) were included. Large, representative studies show an association between menthol and youth smoking that is consistent in magnitude and direction. One longitudinal and eight cross-sectional studies demonstrate that menthol smokers report increased nicotine dependence compared to non-menthol smokers. Ten studies support the temporal relationship between menthol and reduced smoking cessation, as they measure cessation success at follow-up.ConclusionsThe strength and consistency of the associations in these studies support that the removal of menthol from cigarettes is likely to reduce youth smoking initiation, improve smoking cessation outcomes in adult smokers, and in turn, benefit public health.
| S-EPMC5747135 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundFlavour capsule cigarettes are one of the fastest growing segments of the tobacco market, and there is evidence that Australian young people are increasingly using menthol flavoured capsule cigarettes. This qualitative research examines how young women construct and experience menthol flavour capsule cigarettes as part of their smoking practices, and explores the perceived differences between menthol capsule cigarettes and regular cigarettes. Semi-structured face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 41 Australian young women smokers, using a constructivist grounded theory approach.ResultsFindings reveal that the perceived fresh and improved taste of menthol and the ability to customise the smoking process positively contributed to young women's experiences of smoking menthol capsule cigarettes. In particular, menthol capsule flavour cigarettes were constructed by the young women as "fresh", "light" and "minty", and "popping" the menthol capsule allowed the young women to personalise their smoking experience.ConclusionThese results indicate that specific public health campaigns and legislation should be developed to counter the powerfully alluring effects and the innovative appeal of menthol capsule cigarettes.
| S-EPMC8051088 | biostudies-literature