Why an FDA Ban on Menthol Is Likely to Survive a Tobacco Industry Lawsuit

Schroth, Kevin R. J.; Villanti, Andrea C.; Kurti, Marin; Delnevo, Cristine D.

doi:10.1177/0033354919841011

Cited by 25 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2018, the FDA introduced a plan to ban menthol cigarettes ( Schroth et al, 2019 ). Since then, scholars have reviewed the implications of a menthol ban, including how the tobacco industry may retaliate ( Schroth et al, 2019 ). Nevertheless, adult menthol cigarette users believe such a ban may help motivate them to quit smoking ( Wackowski et al, 2014 ), and simulation models have depicted the potential to reduce deaths at the population level ( Levy et al, 2011 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Trends in prevalence and sociodemographic and geographic patterns of current menthol cigarette use among U.S. adults, 2005–2015

Mattingly

Hirschtick

Meza

et al. 2020

Preventive Medicine Reports

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Despite overall reductions in U.S. smoking prevalence, prior evidence suggests similar reductions may not have occurred for menthol cigarette users. This study examines nationally representative current menthol and non-menthol cigarette use prevalence and trends for adults (18+) overall and by sociodemographic and geographic characteristics using the 2005 (n = 31,132), 2010 (n = 26,967), and 2015 (n = 33,541) National Health Interview Survey. Between 2005 and 2015, non-menthol cigarette use decreased overall (14.7% to 9.6%, p < 0.001) and within all sociodemographic and geographic subgroups analyzed (i.e., by sex, age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, education, family income, and geographic region), except non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaskan Natives (NH AI/AN) and non-Hispanic Others. Menthol cigarette use significantly decreased overall (5.3% to 4.4%, p < 0.001), and among females (5.6% to 4.6%); participants aged 18–24 (7.1% to 4.3%) and 35–54 (6.2% to 4.9%); non-Hispanic Whites (4.1% to 3.6%) and non-Hispanic Blacks (14.8% to 11.9%); participants with high school degrees/GEDs (7.0% to 5.9%); participants with a family income of $75,000 or higher (3.4% to 2.3%); and participants residing in the Northeast (6.0% to 4.3%). Menthol cigarette use remained stable or did not significantly decrease among males; adults aged 25–34 and 55 years and older; NH AI/ANs, NH Others, and Hispanics; participants with less than high school education, some college, or a college degree; participants with a family income below $75,000; and participants residing in the North Central/Midwest, South, and West. Given that menthol cigarette use did not significantly change or decrease for multiple subgroups, further restriction on menthol manufacturing may help reduce tobacco use disparities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends in prevalence and sociodemographic and geographic patterns of current menthol cigarette use among U.S. adults, 2005–2015

Mattingly

Hirschtick

Meza

et al. 2020

Preventive Medicine Reports

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“…Notably, this ban exempted mentholated tobacco products. The FDA recently announced its intention to ban menthol in cigarettes [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, they must demonstrate that such a ban would reduce the initiation of and increase the cessation from the use of tobacco products [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The actual and anticipated effects of a menthol cigarette ban: a scoping review

et al. 2020

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Background: The United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, banned characterizing flavors in cigarettes; however, mentholated tobacco products were exempt. Since 2009, over 20 US jurisdictions and numerous countries around the world have extended this restriction to menthol. Currently, the FDA is reconsidering its position on a nationwide menthol cigarette ban. However, the effects of such a ban remain unclear. We conducted a scoping review to explore the impact of a menthol cigarette ban on individual behaviors (initiation, cessation, and product switching), sales, and compliance. Methods: We conducted a search of the international literature using PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science (to November 25, 2019). We retrieved articles relevant to the impacts of an implemented or hypothetical menthol ban. We also included studies of flavored tobacco product bans due to their potential relevance in gauging compliance and product substitutability. Results: The search identified 493 articles, of which 24 were included. Studies examined the effects of implemented menthol bans (n = 6), hypothetical menthol bans (n = 12) and implemented flavor bans that exclude menthol (n = 6). Menthol bans were found to reduce sales and increase smoking cessation with only partial substitution for non-menthol cigarettes. US smokers' reactions to a hypothetical ban indicate that about 25-64% would attempt to quit smoking and 11-46% would consider switching to other tobacco products, including 15-30% to e-cigarettes. Flavor ban studies indicate reductions in initiation of 6%. Ban compliance was high, but studies indicate that the tobacco industry and retailers have attempted to circumvent their impact via packaging changes and online sales. Conclusion: Our review finds that extending the US cigarette flavor ban to menthol products would promote smoking cessation and reduce initiation. This evidence supports further action by the FDA towards mentholated tobacco products. However, few studies have been conducted in the vaping era.

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