a b S. W. Rose, M. S. Amato, A. Anesetti-Rothermel et al, Characteristics and Reach Equity of Policies Restricting Flavored Tobacco Product Sales in the United States, Health Promotion Practice, 21(1_suppl), 44S-53S, 2020 Looking for a solution to the May 2020 ban of menthol cigarettes and tobacco? Try these flavour infusion cards, by Rizla.

Finland aims to end the use of tobacco and other nicotine products by 2030. Policy makers have interpreted the 2016 TPD flavour ban as also applying to e-cigarette liquids. 85 There have been court cases in Finland as shops have been selling flavourings labelled for food use, but which have not been tested for possible toxicity when heated and inhaled. These flavourings are labelled for use with e-cigarettes (vaping) in other countries. Finnish researchers have called for the EU to reconsider regulation, product notification and prohibition of e-cigarette flavours. 85 Revision of the 2014 TPD Imperial expands portfolio with new L&B filter, Convenience Store, 31 January 2019, accessed August 2021 Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, States and localities that have restricted the sale of flavoured tobacco products, factsheet, 2022, accessed May 2022 Tobacco companies, led by JTI and Imperial, were able to exploit the challenges of determining ‘characterising’ flavour, and the omission of cigarillos and accessories from the ban. There are early indications that this has prolonged menthol use post-ban.

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In the same report BAT repeatedly noted that any future flavour bans would risk having a negative impact on its business. 12 A proposed federal (nationwide) ban in 2016 led to a drop in the value of tobacco companies’ shares, although the ban was not implemented. 13 14 Menthol in cigarettes is well known to increase the appeal and attractiveness of smoking, which can facilitate initiation, sustain regular use and deter quitting. 1–3 Through its unique sensory properties, including activating the ‘cooling’ receptors in the brain, menthol can mask the harshness of tobacco smoke on the throat and mouth, thereby making tobacco products more palatable, and inhalation easier. 4 Menthol cigarettes have also contributed to widening health disparities, as they are used disproportionately by adolescents, women, racial/ethnic minority groups and other populations who have been selectively targeted by tobacco industry marketing. 1 5 Baseline ever use of non-cigarette flavoured tobacco products (e-cigarettes, hookah, smokeless, bidi, kreteks)

JTI plan for the menthol ban, Scottish Grocer and Convenience Retailer, 3 February 2020, accessed March 2020 a b c A. Ciurcanu, A. Cerantola, Japan Tobacco International Making a Mint by Circumventing Menthol Cigarette Ban, Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), 2 November 2021, accessed November 2021 In April 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a ban preventing the tobacco Industry from using menthol in cigarettes. The ban would also stop the industry from using flavorings such as strawberry, grape, and cocoa, in cigars. Can I still buy menthol cigarettes?

P. McGreevy, California bans flavored tobacco sales in response to a surge in teen use, Los Angeles Times, 28 August 2020, accessed September 2020 Prior to the ban menthol use was highest in England and Poland. Menthol had an estimated 20% of the UK cigarette market, in which Imperial Brands and JTI dominate. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health Summary of Scientific Evidence: Flavored Tobacco Products, Including Menthol February (United States, 2021)

E. Cronin, JTI unveils alternative tobacco products ahead of menthol ban, Talking Retail, 26 March 2020, accessed May 2020 Both authors work in the Tobacco Control Research Group at the University of Bath. Sarah Dance is a Health Psychology MSc graduate interested in corporate influence on health. She is currently a research assistant on the STOP Initiative. Karen Evans-Reeves is a research fellow who conducts research into policy influence by the tobacco industry, particularly its attempts to prevent public health policies or to push its for-profit agenda via third parties. Both authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. D.Rees, “Great alternatives” to menthol cigarettes exist, says PML, Convenience Store, 15 June 2020, accessed July 2020

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The US continues to be an important market for tobacco companies’ menthol brands. In its 2018 Annual Report, BAT said that after it acquired US tobacco company RJ Reynolds in 2017: a b c d e f Food and Drug Administration, Tobacco Product Standard for Menthol in Cigarettes, 5 April 2022 The UK was part of the EU until 31 January 2020. The 2016 TPD, which included the menthol and flavours ban, was transposed into UK law and remains in place in the UK. Any future amendments to UK legislation will be made by the UK government. a b R. Paul, Philip Morris says Irish ad for ‘menthol blend’ cigarettes a ‘mistake’, Irish Times, 19 June 2020, accessed July 2020 The legislation stems from the EU Tobacco Products Directive 2014. It has been transposed into UK law and will remain in force after the transition period for leaving the EU comes to an end on 31 December 2020.