US

For years, cigarettes with menthol were demonized as a product much more dangerous than regular cigarettes and the FDA has stated it intends to ban flavored cigarettes altogether. However, a new study by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) shed some light on the issue by analyzing data for nearly 86,000 people.
The study discovered that people who use cigarettes with menthol smoke fewer cigarettes per day than regular tobacco users. This prompted the NCI to arrive at a surprising conclusion: “The findings suggest that menthol cigarettes are no more, and perhaps less, harmful than non-menthol cigarettes.”

Scientists also stated that more research is needed to determine whether or not menthol cigarettes are less dangerous than regular ones. However, while showing concern for its citizens is the right of any government, it has to stop short of banning flavored cigarettes. The FDA will consider whether to ban or regulate menthol cigarettes after studying its advisory panel’s report. According to officials, the first response to the report is due from the agency within three months.