A comprehensive national study found disturbing evidence that menthol cigarettes may be more deadly than non-breast smoke, and black smokers face a particularly elevated risk of heart disease.
The study, published today in Tobacco Control, analyzed data from nearly one million participants over six years, suggests that all causes faced by former menthol smokers are at a higher risk of death for all causes than those who smoke non-branded tobacco. 12%.
These findings are crucial moments when global policymakers respond to regulations regarding flavored tobacco products. The study, led by the American Cancer Society (ACS), provides some of the strongest evidence linking peppermint cigarettes to increased mortality risk.
“Mentol in cigarettes is an established public health threat because of its impact on increasing smoking and reducing smoking cessation,” said Priti Bandi, Ph.D., Scientific Director of Risk Factors and Screening Research for the American Cancer Society and Lead Author of the study. .
The survey traced 73,486 Menthol smokers and 281,680 non-photographer smokers in 1982-1983, recording 4,071 and 20,738 deaths, respectively. Although the two types of cigarettes roughly double the risk of mortality compared to Never Smoking, the study reveals particularly disturbing statistics in some groups.
Among the black participants currently smoking menthol brand, researchers observed 88% higher mortality risk for certain heart disease, rather than smoking non-endotype cigarettes. The study also found that people who quit smoking but previously used mint cigarettes face an increased risk of death in multiple categories:
- All cardiovascular diseases have 16% higher risk of death
- The risk of death for ischemic or coronary disease is 13% higher
- Other heart disease has a 43% higher risk of death
These differences become more pronounced among heavy smokers who consume 40 cigarettes or more cigarettes per day. These findings highlight the complex relationship between menthol seasoning and the health effects of tobacco, especially among vulnerable groups.
Lisa A. Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), highlighted the policy implications of these findings. “Today’s research once again demonstrates why policymakers need to develop comprehensive policies to help individuals who currently use quit smoking and prevent young people from becoming addicted to tobacco products,” she said.
The study comes from Cancer Prevention Study II, one of the largest and most comprehensive studies on health outcomes related to smoking. Although previous studies have documented the role of mint cigarettes in increasing smoking initiation and reducing success in smoking cessation, this new data provides concrete evidence of its elevated mortality.
Despite obvious findings, researchers stressed that quitting smoking remains the most critical factor in reducing health risks. “Whether it’s menthol or non-meat cigarettes, continuing to smoke is the most harmful,” Bandie notes. “These findings reaffirm that withdrawing from all cigarette types is the only safe option to reduce the risk of disease and die prematurely.”
The meaning of this study goes beyond the United States. Bandi stressed the global significance of these findings, noting that “menthol has a large share of the market in the United States and many low-income and middle-income countries around the world.”
Public health advocates call for stronger stop support, including improved opportunities for smoking cessation, health care providers, and state and federal programs. ACS CAN announced plans to provide more funding for the prevention of tobacco prevention and smoking cessation programs, while also advocating comprehensive smoke-free laws and higher tobacco taxes.
The research team includes several ACS scientists including Christina Newton, Zheng Xue, Samuel Asarey, Dr. Minal Patel, Dr. Farhad Islami, Dr. Nigar Nargis, Dr. Alpa Patel, Dr. Alpa Patel, Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, J. Dr. Lee Westmaas and senior writer Ryan Diver.
For those seeking support for smoking, the American Cancer Society maintains a 24/7 hotline service at 1-800-227-2345.
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