Menthol Characterizing Flavors in Cigarettes on Sale in England After a Characterizing Flavor Ban: Findings From Sensory and Chemical Assessments.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

In May 2020, the United Kingdom banned menthol as a characteristic flavor in cigarettes. This study aimed to test cigarettes on sale in England in 2021-2022 for menthol and other characterizing flavors, through sensory and chemical testing.

Aims and methods

Assessments were conducted for 20 cigarette brands (16 tests and four reference products). An untrained consumer panel of 50 people who smoked daily were each randomized to smell one of the two blocks of 10 unburnt cigarettes in duplicate (50 assessments per product). Using the Check-All-That-Apply method, participants assessed the presence of 22 odor attributes, including menthol/mint. For each test and reference cigarette, proportions of assessments that identified menthol/mint, "fruity," "confectionary" an

SUBMITTER: Robson D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12453683 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature