Menthol cigarettes are now banned in the UK - here’s what you need to know

New laws about menthols have been introduced to deter young people from smoking
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Smokers in the UK will no longer be able to buy menthol cigarettes, as new smoking laws were introduced on May 20.

The new rules have been introduced with the aim to stop young people from taking up smoking.

What cigarettes are banned?

The ban takes menthol cigarettes, menthol rollies, skinny cigarettes and click-dual cigarettes off the shelves and is part of the four-year phasing-out period that falls under the EU Tobacco Product Directive laws. In 2017, smaller packs of rolling tobacco were banned as well as 10 packs of cigarettes.

Will menthol cigarettes be available at all?

From today, May 20, menthol cigarettes in packs of 20 are banned, as well as the production of the cigarettes mentioned above.

Anti-smoking charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has outlined the new rules and says that “no person may produce or supply a cigarette or hand rolling tobacco with a filter, paper, package, capsule or other component containing flavourings; a filter, paper or capsule containing tobacco or nicotine; or a technical feature allowing the consumer to modify the smell, taste, or smoke intensity of the product."

Why are menthol cigarettes being banned?

The ban is part of the EU Tobacco Product Directive laws which was introduced on May 19, 2014 and became applicable to European countries on May 20, 2016.

The regulations also state that health warnings on tobacco and related products must cover 65 per cent of the packaging and it also bans promoting tobacco products, e-cigarettes and ‘herbal products’ for smoking.

Cancer Research finds that two-thirds of smokers start before the age of 18 and Deborah Arnott​, Chief Executive of​ of ASH says the move will hopefully lead to less young people smoking.

"Research shows that menthol makes it easier for young people to start smoking because it masks the harshness when they first try to inhale," Arnott adds.

"Removing menthol cigarettes from the market will deter young people from starting smoking. This will help the Government reach its ambition for a smokefree England by 2030, which is defined by smoking rates below 5 per cent.”​

Are menthol cigarettes ‘better’ for you than regular cigarettes?

In short: no. Arnott says: "In reality, menthol cigarettes are just as harmful as regular cigarettes and most adult smokers become addicted to smoking in their youth."

Menthol can also increase the addictiveness of nicotine, says the NHS. It adds: “Menthol is a mild anaesthetic that numbs your throat and stimulates cold receptors that creates a cooling sensation. Menthol is an additive that increases the addictiveness of the nicotine, though menthol by itself is not addictive in nature.”

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