With the law passed by the EU council in 2016, the illegalising of menthol cigarettes will be finalised this year.
The minty variant of the stadandard tobacco cigarette was first entered into the market in the 1920’s when it was advertised as a more refreshing and ‘healthier’ cigarette alternative for smokers. Though it has since been scientifically proven that the menthols are indeed not any less harmful to the body than the regular version, consumers continue to buy these cigarettes.
An aspect of the menthol cigarettes, as well as other flavoured cigarettes and nicotine products, is the soothing and cooling sensation they conduce in the throat when smoked. The decreased harhsness of these cigarettes (in terms of the feeling for the smoker) means that more units can be smoked without feeling strain in the throat, which thereby creates the misconception that menthols are healthier for lungs especially, than their normal counterparts.
The way that the menthol cigarettes relax the airways makes it easier and more appealing for young and new smokers to smoke or to begin smoking. This appeal is very dangerous however, as the menthol cigarettes not only are as destructive to the respiratory system as any other cigarette, but also entice more young people to pick up the bad habit.
With rising health concerns related to these products, a law created by the EU Tobacco Product Directive Laws stating a ban of the product was passed, and will be placed into effect on the 20th of May this year.
Until Brexit has taken place and all agreements been arranged, this ban will also affect and be practiced in the UK.
