Use of Menthol Cigarettes, Smoking Frequency, and Nicotine Dependence Among US Youth

Source:

Leas EC, Benmarhnia T, Strong DR, Pierce JP. Use of Menthol Cigarettes, Smoking Frequency, and Nicotine Dependence Among US Youth. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(6):e2217144. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.17144

Key Points

Question  Do youth menthol cigarette smokers smoke more frequently and display greater symptoms of nicotine dependence than youth nonmenthol cigarette smokers?

Findings  In this population-based pooled cohort study including 1492 observations of 1096 youth cigarette smokers (aged 12-17 years at their baseline and follow-up interviews), menthol use was associated with smoking more frequently and with having higher nicotine dependence scores, but switching from menthol to nonmenthol cigarettes was associated with reduced smoking frequency and dependence.

Meaning  These findings suggest that the addition of menthol to cigarettes could increase smoking frequency and nicotine dependence among youth.