Chemicals replace menthol as new 'non-menthol' cigarettes draw attention

According to a report from ysph on the 16th, in some regions of the United States where traditional menthol cigarettes are banned, some "non-menthol" cigarettes marketed as "refreshing" alternatives actually use synthetic chemicals to mimic the unique cooling sensation of menthol. Researchers from Yale University and Duke University found that these synthetic additives could undermine existing policies and the upcoming ban on menthol cigarettes by the FDA, aimed at preventing new smokers and addressing the harmful health effects of tobacco use.

In the U.S., hundreds of municipal agencies and some states (Massachusetts and California) have already restricted the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes.

The research found that these newly launched "non-menthol" cigarettes contain a synthetic flavoring agent called WS-3, which produces a menthol-like cooling sensation without the menthol aroma or taste.

These "non-menthol" cigarettes create a menthol-like effect, which could pose a threat to existing local and proposed federal menthol bans.

Flavored tobacco products like menthol cigarettes often mitigate the irritant effects of tobacco, making them particularly popular among young people and first-time smokers. Historically, menthol cigarettes have been aggressively marketed to African Americans, with up to 90% of African American smokers using menthol cigarettes.

When California implemented its menthol ban in December 2022, major tobacco companies—RJ Reynolds (maker of Newport menthol cigarettes) and ITG (maker of Kool menthol cigarettes)—launched "non-menthol" cigarette brands as alternatives to menthol, with packaging and marketing strategies similar to their menthol cigarettes.

Researchers used chemical analysis combined with bioassays to determine whether the "non-menthol" cigarettes purchased in California and Massachusetts contained chemicals that activate cold/menthol receptors.

Their analysis found that 4 out of 9 currently sold products contained WS-3, all manufactured by RJ Reynolds. The analysis also detected vanilla and tropical flavor chemicals in the flavor capsules of the "non-menthol" cigarette filters.

These findings are concerning, and the FDA should develop strategies to address flavorless coolants that may circumvent tobacco product flavor regulations.