Use of menthol cigarettes was associated with increased smoking frequency and nicotine dependence among youths in the U.S., according to data published in JAMA Network Open.
However, researchers reported reduced smoking frequency and nicotine dependence among youths who switched from menthol cigarettes to nonmenthol cigarettes.
“One public health concern prompting recommendations to ban menthol cigarettes is that menthol may alter the biochemical profile of cigarette smoke in a manner that could increase smoking frequency and nicotine dependence, particularly among new smokers,”