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Home > A-Z Health Topics > Smoking and How To Quit > Other forms of tobacco, nicotine, and marijuana > Menthol cigarettes

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Menthol cigarettes

Menthol cigarettes have a minty taste that makes some smokers think they are healthier than regular cigarettes. This is not true! In fact, menthol cigarettes contain even more chemicals than regular cigarettes. Also, menthol can make it easier for a smoker to inhale deeply, which may allow more chemicals to enter the lungs. As a result, menthol cigarettes may be even more harmful than regular cigarettes.

African-Americans and menthols

Most African-American smokers prefer menthol cigarettes. And low quit rates among African-Americans have been linked to smoking menthols. Cigarette companies have worked hard to bait and hook more African-Americans and young smokers on menthol cigarettes. For example, companies use marketing tactics that appeal to this audience, such as featuring young hip hop artists in ad campaigns, with the hopes that they may become brand-loyal, lifelong customers. Learn more about African-American women and smoking.

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More information on menthol cigarettes

Explore other publications and websites

  • Questions About Smoking, Tobacco, and Health (Copyright © American Cancer Society) — This publication answers common questions about health and tobacco use. It provides information on the various health effects of smoking, addiction, and the harmful chemicals cigarettes contain.
    http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/TobaccoCancer/QuestionsaboutSmokingTobaccoandHealth/questions-about-smoking-tobacco-and-health-intro-and-background
  • Top Facts: Menthol Cigarettes (Copyright © BACCHUS Network) — This fact sheet discusses what menthol cigarettes are and how they differ from normal cigarettes. It also provides information on which gender, age, and racial groups are target markets for menthol cigarettes.
    http://www.tobaccofreeu.org/pdf/Menthol_Facts.pdf

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Content last updated May 19, 2010.

Resources last updated May 19, 2010.

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