Effects of menthol as an additive in tobacco products and the need for regulation

• Published in: Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz Vol. 55; no. 3; pp. 409 - 415
• Main Authors: Kahnert, S, Nair, U, Mons, U, Pötschke-Langer, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01.03.2012
• Subjects: Chronic Disease - mortality; Consumer Product Safety - legislation & jurisprudence; Germany; Humans; Menthol - adverse effects; Smoking - adverse effects; Smoking - mortality; Smoking Cessation - legislation & jurisprudence; Social Marketing; Tobacco Industry - legislation & jurisprudence; Tobacco Use Disorder - etiology; Tobacco Use Disorder - prevention & control; Germany
• ISSN: 1437-1588
• DOI: 10.1007/s00103-011-1425-8

Menthol is the most widely used and the most prominent tobacco additive in tobacco products advertised and marketed by the tobacco industry. Besides its characteristic flavor, it possesses a variety of pharmacological properties facilitating tobacco smoke inhalation and potentiating dependence. These properties of menthol not only favor tobacco initiation and consumption but can also prevent smoking cessation. This article summarizes the effect of menthol as an additive in tobacco products and its effect on tobacco consumption that causes a number of chronic diseases and premature death and, therefore, counteracts tobacco control measures. Currently, there is no legislative regulation in Germany that considers the health hazard, addiction-enhancing and attractiveness-increasing properties of additives permitted in tobacco products. Effective regulation or even a ban could contribute to a reduction of tobacco consumption and, hence, save many people from a long-lasting tobacco dependence.