Menthol Content in US Marketed Cigarettes

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of menthol content in US-marketed cigarettes, both those labeled and not labeled as menthol products. The study aims to determine current menthol application levels in the US cigarette market and offers insights into the discrepancies between labeled and unlabeled menthol cigarette products.

Key Points:

* The study analyzed 45 whole cigarettes using a validated gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method.
* Menthol levels in labeled menthol cigarettes ranged from 2.9 to 19.6 mg/cigarette.
* Menthol levels in unlabeled cigarettes ranged from 0.002 to 0.07 mg/cigarette.
* The type of packaging (soft vs. hard pack) does not appear to affect menthol levels in the current limited data.
* Menthol levels in cigarette products labeled as containing menthol are approximately 50- to 5000-fold higher than those in cigarette products not labeled as containing menthol.
* Menthol can be present in non-mentholated cigarettes and may be used in manufacturing processes, even if not intentionally added.
* Existing data on menthol levels in cigarettes are not consistent, making comparisons challenging.

Main Message:
The study highlights the significant difference in menthol content between cigarettes labeled as menthol and those not labeled as such. With menthol levels in labeled cigarettes being 50- to 5000-fold higher, it is evident that there is a considerable discrepancy between the two categories. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the possibility of menthol being present in non-mentholated cigarettes due to manufacturing processes or natural occurrence. These findings underscore the importance of accurate labeling and further investigation into menthol usage in the tobacco industry.

ai, Jiu, Kenneth M. Taylor, Joseph G. Lisko, hang Tran, Clifford h. Watson, and Matthew R. holman. “Menthol Content in US Marketed Cigarettes.” Nicotine & Tobacco Research 18, no. 7 (July 2016): 1575–80. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntv162.