By Dr Ananya Mandal, MD
In a new development a 12-member US panel is debating over the issue of menthol cigarettes being more addictive. If the results go against the cigarettes Australia too will have to ban the sale of such cigarettes. This would mean a significant loss to Alpine cigarettes and imported brands such as Kool, Virginia Slims and Salem.
Campaigners have been harping on the fact that menthol coats the throat with a “mild anesthetic” or has numbing effect and encourages young people, especially women, to take up smoking.
Studies have shown that;
- Smokers who use light cigarettes do not reduce their risk for developing smoking-related cancers and other diseases.
- Switching to light cigarettes does not help smokers quit. Actually the drive to quit may be reduced with the use of light cigarettes.
According to University of Sydney professor of public health Simon Chapman, Australia has not regulated the use of any tobacco additives and use of legal substances.