ArticleTobacco control2025
Examining the impact of England's menthol cigarette ban on postban smoking cessation: longitudinal findings from the England arm of the 2020-2022 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Surveys.
Article in Tobacco control, 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
backgroundIn May 2020, England banned menthol as a characterising flavour in cigarettes. However, the sale of menthol accessories (eg, filters, flavour cards) remains permitted. This study assessed the impact of England's menthol ban on quit attempts and quit success.
methodsLongitudinal data came from Waves 3 (2020, preban) and 4 (2022, postban) of the England arm of the International Tobacco Control Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey. A nationally representative sample of 839 adults who smoke, were followed up, and provided sufficient data to derive menthol smoking (defined as smoking menthol cigarette brands/varieties) were included (n=112 smoked menthol, n=727 non-menthol, cigarettes preban). Logistic regressions examined associations between smoking menthol (vs non-menthol) preban and quit attempts and quit success postban. Menthol accessory use postban was also examined.
resultsAt baseline (preban), 12.8% of adults who smoked used menthol (vs non-menthol) cigarettes, compared with 6.3% postban (AOR 0.46, 95% CI=0.30-0.69, p<0.001). Quit attempts were similar between participants who smoked menthol (vs non-menthol) preban (29.5% vs 27.0%; AOR 0.72, 95% CI=0.31-1.67). Quit success was higher among participants who smoked menthol (vs non-menthol) preban, although wide CIs included the possibility of no difference (20.1% vs 14.2%; AOR 1.25, 95% CI=0.56-2.79). Among those who smoked menthol cigarettes preban, 43.4% continued smoking menthol and 32.1% reported using menthol accessories postban.
conclusionsWhile quit success was higher among participants who smoked menthol, small sample sizes and wide CIs limited the ability to detect associations. Continued menthol use and widespread accessory use suggest regulatory loopholes may be undermining the ban's effectiveness.
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