New Delhi: According to a study conducted by the City University of New York and the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, menthol consumption among adult smokers in the United States has increased over the past ten years. Adult smokers who are younger, from racial/ethnic minority groups, and with mental health issues are significantly more likely to use menthol. The journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research published the findings.
About two out of every five cigarette smokers frequently use menthol. In 2020, over 80% of black smokers favored menthol, a consistent percentage compared to earlier studies.
of the Department of Epidemiology at the Columbia Mailman School, Renee D. It was noted by Goodwin, PhD that “approximately 50% of smokers who were Hispanic, female, aged 18-25 and 26-34, lesbian/gay and adult. Mental Health Problems, 2020 used menthol This is higher than previously reported and suggests that cigarette use has expanded to all segments of the adult population.”
Although the Center for Tobacco Products announced its desire to create a product standard that would limit menthol as a defined flavor in cigarettes, action by the US Food and Drug Administration has been missing. Canada and the United Kingdom have banned menthol as a cigarette flavor.
However, experts caution that menthol cigarettes may be on the market for a long time, given the regulatory process required to publish product standards and the potential for tobacco industry litigation.
According to Goodwin’s findings, the US Food and Drug Administration’s proposed ban on menthol as a distinctive flavoring in cigarettes “could have a significant impact on public health, particularly among youth and vulnerable populations.”
Researchers from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2008-2019 and 2020 from 128,327 Americans 18 and older to estimate trends in socio-demographic, mental health, and menthol use among adults who smoke cigarettes by Nationally reps examined annual data. Substance Use Variable (NSDUH). The DSM-IV criteria for a major depressive episode were used to measure depression.
From 34% in 2008 to 41% in 2019, menthol cigarette consumption among smokers overall increased significantly. In 2020, menthol was used by 43% of adults who smoked cigarettes in the past month.
Menthol use was most prevalent among adults of color (80 percent). Menthol was used by more than 50% of Hispanic women, who were also young (ages 18 to 34), lesbian/gay, acute psychological distress, and cigar smokers. Menthol consumption increased more rapidly in adults, Hispanics, light cigarette smokers (1-5 cigarettes per day) and cigar smokers.
An interesting finding was the increase in menthol use among Hispanic people during the study period (34% in 2008 to 48% in 2019 and 51% in 2020), with a sharper rise in Hispanic smokers than non-Hispanic white smokers. increased from
Goodwin notes that not much research has been done in this area so far and that there are several reasons why menthol cigarettes are becoming more and more common among Hispanic smokers. “For one, there is evidence that menthol cigarettes are being marketed more frequently to Hispanic adults.”
According to Goodwin, “Our study reveals ongoing and continuing disparities in menthol use, particularly among members of tobacco use disparity groups.” According to the 2020 data, the increase in menthol use among smokers over the past ten years was widely noticeable across all categories.
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