A Cross-sectional Study of Menthol Cigarette Preference by 14- to 15-Year-Old Smokers in New Zealand

Abstract

This study found inequalities in menthol cigarette preference among New Zealand adolescent smokers, consistent with patterns found in the United States but did not find any significant correlation between menthol preference and loss of autonomy.

A refreshing poison: one‐quarter of young New Zealand smokers choose menthol

“…The number of young New Zealanders smoking menthol cigarettes in combination with regular cigarettes is increasing and needs to be monitored in NZ. More female smokers smoke menthol, confirming earlier NZ research 3 . Given the high rates of smoking among females in NZ, particularly young Māori females, 7 this finding is concerning and may have implications for smoking uptake.…”

“…Initiation with menthol cigarettes is more likely to lead to regular smoking 2 and young menthol smokers may be more likely to report signs of nicotine dependency. Recent New Zealand (NZ) research found no association between menthol preference and autonomy over tobacco use among young people 3 . Nevertheless, menthol cigarettes may pose increased barriers to successful cessation, 4 and this may be an especially important issue for young people, who already have reduced rates of success in smoking cessation 5…”

Predictors, Indicators, and Validated Measures of Dependence in Menthol Smokers

“…Five studies reported that menthol smokers are less likely to be daily smokers. 67,70,72–74 Three other large scale analyses reported no difference in daily vs. non-daily smoking among menthol and non-menthol smokers. 63,71,75 …”

“…Among adolescents, studies have found no difference by menthol status on the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist, 73,74,102 and lower Hooked on Nicotine Checklist scores for adolescent preferring only menthol vs. only nonmenthol and compared to those who smoked both. 73 No difference by menthol status on the FTND was reported in another study of adolescents.…”

“…32,56,57,60,68,73,74,80–84,89,92,95,97,98,100–105 Seventeen published studies included validated measures and a menthol comparison, 1 analysis included partial FTND scores, and 5 studies compared validated dependence measures among smokers in racial/ethnic groups with disproportionately high and low menthol use. These studies are summarized in Table 1.…”