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HomeBehavioural MedicineMenthol makes smokers want more

Menthol makes smokers want more

Menthol in cigarettes reduces irritation of the airways and increases a critical marker of nicotine exposure, researchers report. "Menthol may increase the numbers of smokers – they get addicted quicker and have a harder time quitting. It's a tool to make people addicted," authors of the new study conclude.

Science Daily reports that the finding could provide scientific evidence for the US Food and Drug Administration as it considers whether to regulate menthol cigarettes, which are especially popular with young, beginning smokers and with minority populations, notably African-Americans. While the number of smokers has declined, the number of menthol smokers has remained steady, and menthol smokers have more difficulties quitting.

The study, conducted in mice, shows that menthol appears to suppress smoke-induced irritation, makings it easier to inhale smoke and increasing the dosage of nicotine. Due to the similarities in menthol's pharmacology in humans, the animal models suggest that beginning smokers likely prefer menthols since they feel less irritated. At the same time, these smokers are exposed to higher levels of nicotine and become addicted faster and more durably. The study's lead author Dr Sven-Eric Jordt said: "Menthol may increase the numbers of smokers – they get addicted quicker and have a harder time quitting. It's a tool to make people addicted."

[link url="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150218092042.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+sciencedaily/top_news/top_health+(ScienceDaily:+Top+Health+News)"]Full Science Daily report[/link]
[link url="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0117128"]PLOS ONE abstract[/link]

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