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Nicotine Addiction: Banning Menthol Flavoring to Stop

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ivanhoe Newswire) – In 2009, the federal government banned almost all flavoring for tobacco products. The move was designed to make smoking less attractive, especially for younger people. Now, health experts say it’s time for the government to finish what it started by banning menthol – not just in cigarettes and cigars – but all smoking products. Nicotine addiction

Cigarette makers first started adding menthol to their products decades ago to give the smokes a minty after-taste.

Director of the Center for Tobacco Research at the Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center, Theodore “Ted” Wagener, says, “It tends to make nicotine products easier to try. So, it’s easier for young people or non-tobacco use to initiate with menthol products.”

(Read Full Interview)

Wagener and his colleagues studied the addictive potential of not just cigarettes and cigars, but all smoking products containing menthol.

“It actually changes how nicotine is metabolized in the body. Because of that, people have a tendency to have a more difficult time quitting,” Wagener explains.

Last year, the FDA announced a proposal to ban menthol in cigars and cigarettes. Wagener says his research shows that proposal doesn’t go far enough.

Wagener adds, “It leaves open the possibility that smokers can use menthol, roll your own pipe tobacco and cigarette tubes to create a roll your own cigarette. That’s mentholated.”

The FDA is reviewing public comments on its proposed ban, and is expected to rule on it in the next few months.

Contributors to this news report include: Cyndy McGrath, Producer; Kirk Manson, Videographer; Roque Correa, Editor.

To receive a free weekly e-mail on medical breakthroughs from Ivanhoe, sign up at: http://www.ivanhoe.com/ftk

Source:

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2793021

MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS

RESEARCH SUMMARY

TOPIC:            BANNING MENTHOL FLAVORING TO STOP NICOTINE ADDICTION

REPORT:       MB #5202 

BACKGROUND: Menthol is a popular flavoring additive used in many tobacco products, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes. However, the use of menthol in tobacco products has been linked to an increased risk of nicotine addiction and tobacco-related health problems. Fifty-one percent of young adults who smoke reported using menthol flavoring. Research suggests that menthol may enhance the addictive properties of nicotine by reducing the harshness and irritation of tobacco smoke, making it more difficult for smokers to quit. This can lead to higher levels of nicotine in the bloodstream and a greater likelihood of addiction.

(Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/menthol/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/menthol/related-health-disparities.html)

DIAGNOSING: Smoking can lead to disease, disability, and harm to any organ in the body. Over 16 million Americans live with a disease caused by smoking. To diagnose a nicotine addiction or dependency your doctor may have you fill out a questionnaire to see how dependent you are on nicotine. Understanding the degree of dependence will allow a doctor to determine the best treatment plan for you. There are medications that help combat withdrawal because they contain varying amounts of nicotine. Withdrawal symptoms can include irritability, restlessness, trouble concentrating, insomnia, increased appetite, and depression.

(Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/health_effects/index.htm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nicotine-dependence/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351590

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/7-common-withdrawal-symptoms/index.html)

NEW TECHNOLOGY: On April 29th, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. This decision came after years of debate and analysis of the health impact of menthol cigarettes. The action of banning the product is predicted to reduce the desire to smoke and decrease the amount of diseases and death caused by smoking.

(Sources:

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-proposes-rules-prohibiting-menthol-cigarettes-and-flavored-cigars-prevent-youth-initiation

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-commits-evidence-based-actions-aimed-saving-lives-and-preventing-future-generations-smokers)

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS REPORT, PLEASE CONTACT:

Amanda Harper

Amanda.harper2@osumc.edu

If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Marjorie Bekaert Thomas at mthomas@ivanhoe.com

Doctor Q and A

Read the entire Doctor Q&A for Theodore Wagener, PhD, Cancer researcher

Read the entire Q&A