From 20 May 2020, Menthol cigarettes will be withdrawn from shelves and banned in the UK.
What Law ?
The ban stems from new EU Tobacco Product Directive laws, which outlaw’s menthol cigarettes. The ban also applies to a capsule, click on, click & roll, crush ball or dual menthol cigarettes. The ban does not apply to heated tobacco products or e-cigarette products.
Why?
It is hoped the move will help deter young people from taking up smoking by banning cigarettes with a ‘characterising flavour’ other than tobacco.
The move has been praised by anti-smoking charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), who told the ECHO in October that outlawing menthol tobacco will deter more young people from taking up the habit. The law already only permits menthol cigarettes to be sold in packs of 20, thanks to a wider long-term plan to phase out flavoured cigarettes entirely by May this year.
The complete ban comes in an effort to reduce the number of smokers even further, and make taking up the habit less appealing. There is no sell-through period which means that retailers must have sold through any remaining stock of menthol cigarettes by 20th May 2020.
History Of Menthol Cigarettes
Menthol was first added to cigarettes in the 1920s. In the past, the tobacco industry marketed menthol cigarettes as being healthier and safer. Advertisements emphasised their cool and refreshing taste.
There is some belief that menthol cigarettes are better for your health, but there is little evidence to support this and they are just as harmful as regular cigarettes.
The ads often showed nature, coldness, springtime, water, and other refreshing qualities. The tobacco industry also targeted “beginner” smokers, smokers with health concerns, and certain population groups. Many people chose menthol cigarettes because they believed they were safer than non-menthol cigarettes. They are not.
What happens now?
For those of you that still smoke menthol cigarettes, do not lose hope as there is a vape device for you.
We have been aware of the Menthol Ban for quite some time now and many premium hardware and e liquid brands have been preparing for this event, to ease the transition of smoking to vaping by bringing you the best menthol products for new vapers!
Is there a recommended vape device?
The One Kit is the perfect starter kit for those that are looking to switch to vaping. It has been the key product in a clinical trial by Queen Mary University London that showed that e-cigarettes are twice as effective as conventional nicotine replacement therapies such as gums and patches.
Are you looking for a vape shop near you? We have 8 vape shops within the London area. To find them, have a at our London locations. We stock a vast amount of vape products such as vaping kits, mods, vape tanks, from starter kits to rebuildable RDAs and mechanical mods.