The sale of mint flavoured tobacco is banned in the UK from today (Wed 20 May)

A health charity has welcomed the banning of menthol cigarettes.

From today (Wednesday 20 May), the sale of menthol flavoured cigarettes and tobacco products will be prohibited. This legislation – which stems from the EU Products Directive 2014 – has been transposed into UK law and will remain in place after the end of the transition period for leaving the EU comes to an end on 31 December 2020.

Evidence suggests that mint flavoured tobacco – which makes the experience of smoking less harsh – may help establish smoking among young people and reduces the likelihood of quitting.

Commenting on the ban, ASH Scotland chief executive Sheila Duffy said: “This is a welcome measure as evidence suggests that menthol cigarettes – which mask some of the harsh effects of smoking – are particularly appealing to young people and can even reduce the likelihood of quitting. We hope this will help drive down youth smoking rates in Scotland where 12% of 15 year olds and 4% of 13 year olds are smoking either regularly or occasionally.

“However, menthol flavoured cigarillos are not included in this legislation and tobacco manufacturers are already developing new products to circumvent the ban – like menthol flavoured filters that can be used with roll your own tobacco – so governments should consider further legislation to close these loopholes.”