ArticlebioRxiv : the preprint server for biology2025
Absence of Sensory Cooling Activity and Cooling Agents from California's New "Non-Menthol" Cigarettes Marketed in 2025.
Article in bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Background: Since late 2022, the sale of most flavoured tobacco products has been prohibited in California, including menthol cigarettes. Tobacco companies responded by introducing "non-menthol" cigarettes in which menthol was replaced with WS-3, an odorless synthetic cooling agent to elicit cooling sensations similar to menthol. Legislation enacted in 2024 banned the addition of cooling characterizing flavours in tobacco products in California. However, the industry continues to market "non-menthol" cigarettes in the state, with very similar package designs. It is unknown whether these cigarettes contain a cooling agent. Methods: Available Newport-branded "non-menthol" cigarettes were purchased in California in 2025, extracted and tested for sensory cooling activity by Ca Results: Extracts from Newport-branded "non-menthol" cigarettes marketed in California in 2025 did not elicit sensory cooling activity. Chemical analysis confirmed the absence of menthol and any of the major commercial synthetic cooling agents. Conclusions: The tobacco industry removed sensory cooling agents from "non-menthol" cigarettes marketed in California. However, this did not result in the market withdrawal of "non-menthol" cigarettes in the state. "Non-menthol" cigarettes in California continue to be marketed with package designs resembling those of former menthol cigarettes, signaling the potential presence of a characterising flavour.
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