Cancer Council says new evidence points to need for menthol ban
Cancer Council has strengthened its call for the removing of flavours from tobacco products, following new research showing menthol in cigarettes makes it harder for smokers to quit.
The new study of almost 6000 smokers in the US trying to quit showed that those who used menthol cigarettes were 53% more likely to keep smoking over a 12-month period compared with the general study group. By contrast, smokers of menthol varieties who switched to non-menthol products increased their likelihood of not smoking for more than 30 days by 58%.
Libby Jardine, Chair, Tobacco Issues Committee, Cancer Council said the study, recently published in Tobacco Control, demonstrated why Cancer Council was calling on the Australian Government to prohibit the use of flavours in tobacco products.