More difficult for smokers to give up cigarettes with menthol

Scientists at Pennsylvania State University (USA) found that menthol cigarettes may make it difficult to attempt to quit smoking, especially among young people. Menthol - is a compound extracted from peppermint or produced synthetically, which activates neurons in the nervous system responsible for the sensation of cold.

Tobacco products with menthol makes up about 25% of the market, but they prefer certain subgroups of smokers, including about 50% of adolescents and 80% African American.

Studies have shown that menthol cigarettes have higher levels of carbon monoxide *, nicotine and cotinine ** *** per cigarette than conventional cigarettes. The cooling effect of such cigarettes can inhale more nicotine per cigarette and does more harm smoker. In fact, it helps to more easily drawn into legkie toxic substances from cigarettes, say U.S. experts. Menthol in cigarettes makes the smoke less harsh, thereby smokers may absorb more nicotine per puff, so the menthol cigarettes harder to give up, say researchers.