Menthol Tobacco Products: A Serious Public Health Problem

Research shows that tobacco products that use menthol as a characterizing flavor are more addictive, harder to quit, lead to initiation of tobacco product use in youth, and disproportionately impact Black communities

Health experts have identified menthol tobacco products as a serious public health problem. One study found that menthol cigarette use between 1980 and 2018 led to the premature deaths of an estimated 378,000 people and caused 10.1 million people in the US to start smoking.

A large body of evidence shows the menthol, a flavor derived from peppermint that can also be made synthetically in a lab, makes cigarettes more additive and harder to quit. Tobacco companies add menthol to their products to make them smoother and easier to inhale. This also makes these products more appealing to those who have never smoked before, especially youth. Though smoking rates have fallen nationwide, the proportion of people using menthol cigarettes has risen, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This has led to increasing health disparities, as menthol tobacco products are disproportionally used by African Americans, youth, women, and other racial and ethnic minority groups.

Click here to view menthol fact sheets from the CDC for your state.

No Menthol Sunday

Groups such as The Center for Black Health and Equity (CBHE) have been advocating for a menthol ban for over a decade, since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned other flavors in 2009. They created No Menthol Sunday, an annual day of advocacy aimed to engage faith communities on the harms of menthol and tobacco addiction, raising awareness for this important issue impacting Black health. This year’s event, held on May 18th, takes on a special meaning for advocates as the FDA withdrew its proposed ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars earlier this year. This decision is a considerable setback for regulators, public health advocates, and health professionals who have been working for years to raise awareness about the specific dangers posed by menthol tobacco products.

No Menthol Sunday, a day of advocacy and community action started by The Center for Black Health and Equity, is May 18th. Visit nomentholsunday.org for a toolkit and other resources to get involved.

The History and Purpose of a Federal Menthol Ban

Initially introduced in April 2022, the FDA's proposed ban aimed to eliminate menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and all flavored cigars. These measures were part of a broader initiative designed to reduce tobacco-related illnesses and deaths, particularly among Black Americans and many other underrepresented and vulnerable communities. Menthol cigarettes have long been known to encourage smoking initiation, hinder successful cessation, and disproportionately affect communities of color—70% of Black or African American adults who smoke use menthol cigarettes, a significantly higher rate than in other demographic groups. Youth, women, people who identify as LGBTQAI+, individuals with a mental health condition, and people with lower income are also more likely to use menthol tobacco products.

The Real-World Impact of Menthol Bans

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis (2025) examining menthol cigarette bans showed that quit rates among smokers using menthol cigarettes were high following a ban – nearly a quarter of people were able to quit smoking completely. I’ve observed this in my own practice. I often advise patients using menthol to “break up” or switch to try non-menthol tobacco products first. For many, this really changes the smoking experience. Some end up smoking a lot less or stopping altogether. Most of them say cigarettes taste gross without the menthol, and they do not enjoy them as much. Helping menthol tobacco users understand how menthol affects their cessation journey is often an eye-opening experience and is met with gratitude and increased confidence to quit. 

I often advise patients using menthol to “break up” or switch to try non-menthol tobacco products first. For many, this really changes the smoking experience. Some end up smoking a lot less or stopping altogether.

The study also found that the tobacco industry actively works to thwart menthol bans, and national menthol bans seem to work better than state or local ones. That being said, working at the state or local level to restrict menthol tobacco products can still have an impact. Both Massachusetts and California have banned menthol cigarettes, in 2020 and 2022, respectively. In response to menthol bans popping up around the country, tobacco manufacturers started using synthetic chemicals that have a cooling effect as a workaround. Read more about this issue in one of our previous posts.

Ways to Take Action

While a federal menthol ban is off the table for now, there is still a lot of work being done to limit the harmful health impacts of menthol tobacco products. In addition to following tips from the No Menthol Sunday toolkit, here are some ways healthcare providers and community members can work to reduce the negative impact of menthol tobacco products:

• Provide Community Education: Raise public awareness about the dangers of menthol tobacco products, particularly its targeted marketing towards vulnerable populations.

• Support Cessation: Support the expansion and funding of culturally-competent cessation programs tailored to the needs of communities disproportionately affected by menthol cigarettes.

• Engage in Policy Dialogue: Participate in policy discussions to advocate for evidence-based regulations to protect public health.

To learn more about menthol tobacco products and their impact on health disparities, join one of our upcoming Comprehensive Tobacco Treatment Specialist Trainings, which features a Health Equity Panel discussion. Visit https://www.dukeunctts.com/programs to learn more and sign up!

About the Author

Bolu Abe-Lathan, PA-C, is a dedicated healthcare professional who is strongly committed to improving the well-being of underserved and marginalized communities. As a Physician Associate at the Duke Smoking and Tobacco Cessation Program, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field.

Recently, Bolu completed her Doctorate of Health Science at Campbell University, demonstrating dedication to advancing her knowledge and making meaningful contributions to the field.

With a heart for service and a commitment to equity in healthcare, Bolu Abe-Lathan stands as an exemplary healthcare professional dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those they serve. Her unwavering dedication to the well-being of underserved populations underscores her invaluable contributions to the medical community and the broader field of public health.