Ban on menthol cigarettes across the UK from 20th May
Menthol cigarettes are banned from Wednesday 20th May, as new anti-smoking laws come into force. Flavoured cigarettes are now illegal across the UK, along with ‘skinny’ cigarettes and flavoured, menthol rolling tobacco. It also includes capsule, click on, click and roll, crushball or dual menthol cigarettes.
Despite the long-term decline in child smoking, in England an estimated 280 children under 16 will start smoking today, highlighting why the menthol ban is needed [1]. Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) reports that the smoking of menthol cigarettes is significantly more common among newer, younger smokers who are then at a greater risk of progressing to regular smoking for those who start on menthols. They also state that young people are more likely to get addicted as menthol makes it easier to inhale the smoke into the lungs by creating a sweeter, milder, or “colder” smoke and by reducing its harshness. [2].
It is hoped that this ban will see the numbers of youth smokers in the UK continue to decline, as has been seen with previous changes to tobacco regulations.
If these changes have made you decide that now is the time to quit, you can refer yourself today for specialist support from our advisors.
The Stop Smoking Service is currently running telephone support appointments, Monday to Friday throughout the day, as well as Saturday mornings. We are here to offer you FREE support and guidance, making you three times more likely to quit.
Please call 0800 013 0553 or to refer yourself via the website please click here
[2] https://ash.org.uk/media-and-news/press-releases-media-and-news/mentholban/