Rizla Flavour Infusions Cards Menthol Chill Full Box of 25…

Product Information

In contrast, an article by The Sun, which has 22% of the national newspaper readership, states that the ‘draconian’ ban was introduced because “Brussels…believed their “pleasant flavour” could attract people to take up smoking. No reference to research or evidence is made. In fact, tobacco control regulations are referred to as ‘unnecessary and meddlesome’ and part of ‘nanny state measures’. The article also quotes an opinion from the Institute of Economic Affairs, a think tank with financial links to tobacco companies.

The World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the world’s first global public health treaty, recommends banning menthol tobacco products. Numerous countries, including Brazil and Canada, have done so. EU legislation prohibits menthol as a characterising flavour but not as an ingredient in cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, papers or filters, and this ban does not extend to cigars, cigarillos or other accessories such as flavour infusion cards. Canadian legislation, for example, is more comprehensive, prohibiting menthol as an ingredient in cigarettes, most cigars, papers and filters. Heated tobacco products (HTPs) were exempted from the flavour ban. However, the Commission published a report in June 2022 which found that the sales of HTPs had increased by more than 10% (by volume) in 10 member countries, and were making up over 3% of total tobacco product sales. 90 Arguments against a USA-wide ban from the tobacco industry, included that there was not enough scientific evidence to support the ban, because, they claimed, menthol does not increase the disease risk, or markers for dependence or addiction. 3 16 Some argued there should be an exemption for premium cigars. 4 Tobacco firms challenge ban on flavoured heated tobacco products, breakingnews.ie, 11 January 2023, accessed October 2023 Food and Drug Administration, Tobacco Product Standard for Menthol in Cigarettes (United States, 5 April 2022)

a b Food and Drug Administration, Tobacco Product Standard for Characterizing Flavors in Cigars, May 2022

Tobacco accessories sold separately are not covered by the current TPD regulations, although they can still impart a menthol flavour. The tobacco industry has launched various new accessories since the TPD implementation in 2016, many relating to filters. 25 37 Imperial launched menthol roll your own (RYO) filter tips in mid-2017. 38 In January 2019, it launched a filter tip with a capsule, called “Polar Blast”. 39 R.J. Reynolds, one of the companies that makes menthol cigarettes, sued when California introduced its flavor ban. It also introduced a new product that does not contain menthol but provides a “cooling” sensation like menthol does. The cigarettes come in boxes that look similar to the menthol versions, and the company is marketing them to menthol smokers. a b European Commission, Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2022/2100 on the withdrawal of certain exemptions in respect of heated tobacco products, 29 June 2023, available from health.ec.europa.eu Action on Smoking and Health, Advertising promotion and sponsorship 2016, ASH law guide, updated 30th June 2016, accessed March 2020 Evidence from Ontario in Canada shows an increased number of smokers quit following introduction of a ban on menthol, compared to the number who had reported an intention to quit before the ban was introduced.[7]a b c Food and Drug Administration, FDA Proposes Rules Prohibiting Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars to Prevent Youth Initiation, Significantly Reduce Tobacco-Related Disease and Death, press release, 28 April 2022, accessed May 2022 b) results from an additive or a combination of additives, including, but not limited to, fruit, spice, herbs, alcohol, candy, menthol or vanilla; The TPD is under revision, in both the EU and the UK, as scheduled in the legislation. Tobacco industry activity implies that current regulation should be tightened to: 86

In their coverage of the story, different news publications presented the evidence and rationale for the flavourings ban in very different ways. This is important because media coverage of tobacco control policies influences smokers’ support for policies, attitudes towards smoking and behaviour. Euromonitor International, Market sizes: cigarettes retail volume 2018, accessed March 2020 (paywall) Menthol cigarettes have been banned in several countries, including Brazil, Canada, Ethiopia, Turkey, Moldova, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the US state of Massachusetts, even though experts note that menthols are not harder to quit and are not more harmful than regular cigarettes. What kind of cigarettes do they sell in Portugal? A 2013 report from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that menthol cigarettes lead to increased smoking initiation among youth and young adults, greater addiction and decreased success in quitting smoking.[5] EU legislation prohibits menthol as a characterising flavour but not as an ingredient in cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, papers or filters, and this ban does not extend to cigars, cigarillos or other accessories such as flavour infusion cards. What countries have banned menthol cigarettes?While the FDA is expected to face lawsuits, Richardson said she and other public health leaders hope it will act soon. Imperial launches Rizla flavour cards ahead of menthol cigarette ban, Convenience Store, 17 December 2019, accessed March 2020 Determined not to lose any customers in response to the menthol ban, PMI, British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco International have all promoted heated tobacco and other products, for which menthol is still permitted.