Did you know that a simple change in the way cigarettes are made might improve the overall health of young adults? It turns out that removing menthol flavoring from cigarettes could be key in reducing tobacco consumption among this age group.
Menthol Cigarettes: A Dangerous Appeal to Young People
Menthol cigarettes have been especially attractive to young people, with an increasing number of menthol cigarette smokers among this demographic. The appeal of these cigarettes is thought to be partially due to their marketing and the availability of new varieties that have been added to established youth brands.
Research has shown that among all cigarette smokers, menthol cigarette use is more prevalent among younger age groups, specifically among 12-to-17-year-olds (56.7 percent) and 18-to-25-year-olds (45 percent), compared to older persons. Menthol use has also been linked to being younger, female, and of non-white race or ethnicity.
Interestingly, while the percentage of adolescents smoking non-menthol cigarettes decreased between 2004-2010, menthol smoking rates remained constant. A similar pattern was observed among young adults, with non-menthol cigarette smoking rates dropping, while menthol smoking rates increased during the same period. In addition, the use of menthol cigarettes from popular brands such as Camel and Marlboro increased among adolescent and young adult smokers, particularly among non-Hispanic whites.
The Potential Impact of Removing Menthol
Considering these findings, it’s clear that removing menthol flavoring from cigarettes may potentially lead to a decrease in tobacco consumption, specifically among young adults who have been found to be heavy consumers. This could have a positive impact on their long-term health outcomes.
It is well known that cigarette smoking brings with it a range of negative health consequences. These include increased risks of lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among other illnesses. By reducing tobacco consumption at a younger age, these health risks could be minimized, leading to improved public health overall.
Previous Menthol Restrictions and Challenges
The idea of restricting menthol in cigarettes is not new. In 2009, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of flavors (excluding menthol) in cigarettes, with the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. However, menthol has remained a contentious issue, with public health experts arguing for and against its restriction.
One of the main arguments against a menthol ban is that it could potentially create a black market for menthol cigarettes. This was observed during the prohibition era in the United States when alcohol was banned, leading to a rise in organized crime and illegal sales. Supporters of menthol restrictions argue that the potential public health benefits outweigh the risks, as a reduction in youth tobacco consumption could save millions of lives.
Conclusion: A Future Without Menthol Cigarettes?
It is not yet clear whether the removal of menthol from cigarettes will become a reality in the near future, but the potential health benefits for young adults cannot be ignored. Reducing tobacco consumption among this age group could greatly improve their overall health outcomes and decrease the risks of chronic illnesses related to smoking.
In the meantime, other strategies, such as public health campaigns, tobacco taxes, and clean indoor air laws, could be implemented to deter young adults from starting or continuing to smoke. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently has six recommended policies to reduce tobacco use, which include monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies, protecting people from tobacco smoke, offering help to quit tobacco use, warning about the dangers of tobacco, enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, and raising taxes on tobacco.
It’s clear that something needs to be done to reduce tobacco consumption among young adults, and removing menthol flavoring from cigarettes might just be the solution we need.
