Behavioural intentions in response to a potential menthol cigarette sales ban: a survey examining smokers in Washington, DC public housing

Abstract

ObjectivesLocal, national and international policies are being proposed to ban the sale of menthol-flavoured tobacco products. With more bans being implemented, it is increasingly important to understand reactions to these bans among smokers of low socioeconomic status. This study examined public housing residents’ behavioural intentions if menthol-flavoured cigarettes were no longer sold.Setting15 District of Columbia Housing Authority properties between March 2019 and March 2021.Participants221 District of Columbia Housing Authority residents ages 18–80 years who reported smoking menthol cigarettes (83.3% African-American/black).Primary and secondary outcomesCigarette quitting and switching intentions due to a hypothetical menthol-flavoured cigarette sales ban.ResultsNearly one-half (48.0%) of residents said they intended to quit cigarette use if menthol-flavoured products were no longer sold, while 27.2% were unsure if they would quit, and 24.9% reported they would not quit. Older residents (OR 0.94 per year, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.97), senior/disabled building versus family building residents (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.97), those who smoked within 30 min of waking (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.98) and daily smokers (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.84) had lower odds of reporting quit intentions associated with a menthol ban. Of those not intending to quit, 40.7% reported they would switch to non-menthol cigarettes, 20.4% to another non-menthol product, 13.0% to menthol e-cigarettes and 20.4% to another menthol product.ConclusionsResults suggest banning the sale of menthol-flavoured products has the potential to impact cigarette smoking cessation. Nearly three-quarters of smokers in public housing indicated a possibility of quitting smoking because of a menthol cigarette ban. Bans that include all flavours in all tobacco products may be most effective for facilitating overall tobacco cessation.

Should menthol e-cigarettes be banned? Reaction of adult smokers and users of e-cigarettes to hypothetical bans

“…One study asked respondents about their interest to several alternative products first and only the 2.6% who claimed that they would not initiate or keep any products were taken as ‘would try to quit’ 22. On the other hand, another study that found 48% would try to quit asked about intention to quit first, then asked about alternative product use only among respondents who said they would not try to quit 23…”

Selective Reduction of Socioeconomic Disparities in the Experimental Tobacco Marketplace: Effects of Cigarette and E-Cigarette Flavor Restrictions

“…This finding is consistent with a previous study suggesting that approximately 75% of individuals of lower SES who live in public housing would quit smoking under a menthol cigarette ban. 37 Additionally, more affluent groups purchased more alternative tobacco products under unrestricted flavor policies, suggesting they may have more experience or are more willing to try new products than individuals of lower SES. As with NRT, this finding might reflect greater access or exposure to alternative tobacco products.…”

Mint and Menthol: A Review of Potential Health Benefits and wider Human effects

“…Mentholated cigarettes increase smoking initiation, especially in youth populations, encourage greater nicotine dependence and results in lower cessation rates compared to non-mentholated cigarettes 146 . These relationships have led to bans on the sale of menthol cigarettes in Canada, England and the European Union 38,79 and a proposed ban in the United States of America 34 .…”