Researchers found that particular “non-menthol” cigarettes, marketed as options in locations where menthol cigarettes are banned, consist of artificial chemicals that mimic menthols cooling sensations. These chemicals, especially a synthetic flavoring representative called WS-3, supply comparable or stronger effects than menthol without the minty taste.
Scientists from Yale and Duke University discovered that certain “non-menthol” cigarettes, marketed as a “fresh” alternative in areas where traditional menthol cigarettes are forbidden, contain synthetic chemicals that duplicate the unique cooling result of menthol.
These artificial ingredients might compromise the impact of upcoming policies, consisting of a projected U.S. Food and Drug Administration ban on menthol cigarettes. This restriction intends to hinder potential cigarette smokers and alleviate the damaging health consequences of tobacco consumption.
Numerous municipalities throughout the United States and some states– Massachusetts and California– have already restricted the sale of flavored tobacco items, including menthol cigarettes.
In a study published Oct. 9 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers from the Yale School of Public Health, the Center for Green Chemistry & & Green Engineering at Yale, and Duke School of Medicine identified a synthetic flavoring agent called WS-3 in the newly introduced “non-menthol” cigarettes that provides comparable, or more powerful, cooling experiences as menthol however without the minty scent or taste.
” The easy replacement of menthol with another cooling representative that lacks a defining smell threatens to thwart the existing regional and proposed federal menthol restrictions,” said research study coauthor Julie Zimmerman, teacher of green engineering and of public health (ecological health sciences) at the Yale School of Public Health, and vice provost for planetary options at Yale. “This is concerning as the objective of these bans is to try to curb smoking cigarettes and lower the number of new smokers.”
Flavored tobacco items such as menthol cigarettes tend to decrease tobaccos severe results making them particularly popular amongst youths and those just starting to smoke. Historically, menthol cigarettes have actually also been strongly marketed towards African Americans, with as much as 90% of African Americans who smoke using menthol cigarettes. Sustained tobacco use can cause nicotine addiction, serious breathing problems, cancer, many other negative health conditions, and death.
When Californias menthol restriction was enacted in December 2022, the big tobacco companies– RJ Reynolds (makers of Newport menthol cigarettes) and ITG (makers of Kool menthol cigarettes)– presented “non-menthol” cigarette brand names as menthol alternatives, with very similar packaging and marketing methods as their menthol equivalents.
In today research study, co-lead authors Hanno Erythropel, an associate research study researcher at the Center for Green Chemistry & & Green Engineering at Yale, and Sairam Jabba, a senior research scientist at Duke University, combined a bioassay with chemical analysis to identify whether “non-menthol” cigarettes purchased in California and Massachusetts include chemicals that activate the cold/menthol receptor comparable to menthol.
Their analysis found WS-3 in four of the 9 currently marketed items. All 4 items were produced by RJ Reynolds. The analysis also detected vanilla and tropical flavor chemicals in taste capsules in the filters of the “non-menthol” cigarettes.
” These results suggest that these non-menthol cigarettes produce results comparable to menthol when smoked, which in turn assists in the inhalation of the other, more undesirable parts of tobacco smoke,” stated Erythropel. “In addition, we were shocked to discover sweet flavor molecules, such as vanilla, in some cigarettes, which seems incompatible with federal legislation that prohibits such flavors in cigarettes to lower their attractiveness.
” These findings are worrying, and the U.S. FDA must develop methods on how to address odor free cooling agents that could bypass tobacco product taste regulations.”
Other nations have in fact started to resolve this, said Erythropel. Canada has detailed lists of particular components that are permitted, and Belgium has restrictions on any cooling activity in tobacco products.
” This research study brings together lots of disciplines including toxicology, engineering, psychiatry, and chemistry, and highlights the value of interdisciplinary partnerships in producing relevant research study,” said Paul Anastas, the Theresa and H. John Heinz III Professor in the Practice of Chemistry for the Environment at Yale School of the Environment and coauthor of the study.
Referral: “Synthetic Cooling Agent and Other Flavor Additives in “Non-Menthol” Cigarettes Marketed in California and Massachusetts After Menthol Cigarette Bans” by Sairam V. Jabba, Hanno C. Erythropel, Paul T. Anastas, Julie B. Zimmerman and Sven E. Jordt, 9 October 2023, JAMA.DOI: 10.1001/ jama.2023.17134.
The research study got financing assistance from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (U54DA036151), the National Institutes of Health, and the Center for Tobacco Products of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Sven-Eric Jordt, associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke University School of Medicine, is the papers senior author.
Scientists found that specific “non-menthol” cigarettes, marketed as options in places where menthol cigarettes are prohibited, consist of synthetic chemicals that simulate menthols cooling feelings. These chemicals, particularly an artificial flavoring representative called WS-3, supply comparable or stronger impacts than menthol without the minty taste. This discovery raises issues as it may undermine the efforts of policies and the awaited FDA ban on menthol cigarettes. Flavored tobacco items such as menthol cigarettes tend to reduce tobaccos severe results making them particularly popular among young people and those just beginning to smoke. Historically, menthol cigarettes have actually likewise been strongly marketed towards African Americans, with up to 90% of African Americans who smoke using menthol cigarettes.
