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In a groundbreaking nationwide study led by the American Cancer Society (ACS), researchers have found that smoking menthol-flavored cigarettes is associated with a higher risk of mortality compared to non-menthol cigarettes. The study revealed that menthol cigarette smokers faced elevated risks of death from any cause, particularly from cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease.
The findings, published in the journal Tobacco Control, highlight that individuals who quit smoking and those with high smoking intensities exhibited significantly increased mortality risks. Notably, Black participants currently smoking menthol brands had an 88% higher mortality risk for certain heart diseases compared to those smoking non-menthol cigarettes. The study also emphasized that quitting smoking significantly reduced health risks for both menthol and non-menthol cigarette users.
Public Health Implications
Dr. Priti Bandi, scientific director of risk factors and screening research at ACS and lead author of the study, reinforced the public health dangers associated with menthol cigarettes. “Menthol in cigarettes is an established public health threat due to its effect on increasing smoking uptake and reducing smoking cessation,” Bandi stated. “With these results additionally showing unique mortality effects, it’s time for menthol cigarettes to be regulated to help save lives.”
The study underscores the widespread presence of menthol cigarettes in the U.S. and globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, raising concerns about their public health impact.
Study Methodology and Key Findings
Researchers followed nearly a million people from the Cancer Prevention Study II, a population-based prospective cohort enrolled in 1982–1983, monitoring mortality outcomes over six years. Among 73,486 participants who smoked menthol brands and 281,680 who smoked non-menthol brands, there were 4,071 and 20,738 deaths, respectively.
Key findings include:
- Current smokers of both menthol and non-menthol cigarettes had similarly high mortality risks compared to non-smokers, with death from any cause being about twice as likely.
- Among former smokers, a history of menthol cigarette use was associated with a 12% increased risk of all-cause mortality, 16% for cardiovascular diseases, 13% for ischemic or coronary artery disease, and 43% for other heart diseases.
- Black individuals who smoked menthol cigarettes faced significantly higher mortality risks for some heart diseases compared to their non-menthol smoking counterparts.
Call for Policy Change
The ACS and its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), have urged policymakers to take immediate action. Lisa A. Lacasse, president of ACS CAN, stressed the need for comprehensive tobacco control policies, including the prohibition of menthol cigarettes, increased funding for tobacco cessation programs, and stricter regulations on tobacco sales.
“People who smoke deserve barrier-free access to comprehensive cessation services and support through quitlines, their health care providers, and state and federal programs,” Lacasse stated. “Policymakers must enact strong measures to prevent youth from starting and help individuals quit tobacco for good.”
Conclusion
The study reaffirms the health hazards of smoking and the particularly high risks associated with menthol cigarette use. While quitting smoking remains the best option for reducing mortality risk, the findings further strengthen the case for stringent regulations against menthol cigarettes to safeguard public health.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on research findings published in Tobacco Control and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Readers are encouraged to consult healthcare professionals for guidance on smoking cessation and overall health management.
