The 20th May 2021 marks the first anniversary of the UK Menthol Cigarette Ban. One year on, we look back at the changes that were introduced, including the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD).
Menthol Tobacco Ban Overview
On Wednesday the 20th May 2020, it became illegal to provide or purchase menthol cigarettes and flavoured tobacco’s. With a core focus on improving public health and to protect people from the harmful effects of tobacco, the menthol cigarette ban was also set out to prevent young people from taking up smoking. One year on, this article looks at the history of the menthol ban and the impact it’s had on people throughout the UK.
Why were menthol cigarettes banned?
The motive behind the menthol cigarette ban could be split into two core focus points. With smoking being one of the leading causes of death internationally, any efforts to help minimise the use of tobacco is greatly adopted.
With menthol cigarettes deemed to make smoking more appealing, especially to the younger generation, it was highlighted that by removing the ability to purchase menthol cigarettes, the likelihood of young people taking up smoking would be greatly reduced.
In recent reports, the European Commision highlight that tobacco consumption is still the ‘single largest avoidable health risk’ whilst also being the ‘most significant cause of premature death’. Unfortunately, around 50% of tobacco smokers die prematurely with smoking being responsible for close to 700,000 deaths each year.
The menthol cigarette ban was appealed by many cigarette manufacturers including Marlboro who manufacture over 850 billion cigarettes, they stated the ban would do irreparable damage to their brand. Appeals to reverse the ban were soon declined by the European Court of Justice.
The menthol cigarette ban was welcomed by a large majority throughout the UK. Deborah Arnott from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) stated:
“Research shows that menthol in cigarettes makes it easier for children to try smoking and to go on to become addicted smokers. Getting rid of menthol cigarettes will reduce the likelihood of young people taking up smoking.”
Here at Royal Flush Vape, we also welcomed the change. As huge advocates on providing smokers with a safer alternative such as vaping, highlighted by Public Health England (PHE) as around 95% less harmful than smoking; We value ourselves on helping smokers make the change and embrace them to transform their lives to a healthier adoption.
Tobacco Products Directive (TPD)
The EU put forward a legislation called the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). Originally designed to create an approach to tackle smoking, the core focus was to discourage younger people from smoking whilst also helping them quit, with the European Commision highlighting that 93% of smokers started to smoke before they turned 26.
The products which were most linked to younger people taking up smoking were focused on, including products that allowed for modification to smell and taste of cigarettes which in turn meant menthol cigarettes.
The TPD was first adopted back in 2014 with the directive being brought under British Law in 2016 through The Tobacco and Related Products regulations. If you’d like to learn more about TPD, you can read all about it within our TPD blog.
Impact on menthol cigarette smokers
The first and most obvious impact the ban had on menthol cigarette smokers was removing their ability to purchase menthol cigarettes within the UK. With the ban being brought under European law, it also makes it much harder to find any menthol cigarettes when travelling to EU countries.
Although many resorted to other tobacco cigarettes, a large majority have turned to vaping to find their desired menthol e-liquids which in turn provides them a much healthier alternative to smoking, whilst also providing them a chance to quit smoking entirely.
Can I still purchase menthol e-liquids?
The short answer to the question is yes, you can still purchase and vape menthol and fruit flavoured e-liquids alongside a wide range of other flavoured e-liquids.
Here at Royal Flush Vape we’re proud stockists of the latest premium e-liquids including our own 10ml e-liquids. Some of the best rated menthol e-liquids and customer favourites are:
Mental Menthol - An icily fresh menthol flavour e-liquid.
Heisenberg - A fruity undertone and a cool crystal after sensation.
Tobacco Fresh - A smooth tobacco flavour with refreshingly cool menthol.
Red Astaire - A powerful blend of delicious red berries, ripe black grapes, sweet eucalyptus and a hint of aniseed with a strong menthol hit.
Switch to Vaping
With new evidence suggesting that vaping is better than Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), thousands have and will still benefit from switching from smoking.
“Those using a vaping product as part of their quit attempt in local, stop smoking services have some of the highest quit-success rates – between 59.7 and 74% in 2019 to 2020”
If you’re a menthol smoker or looking to make the switch from smoking, here at Royal Flush Vape pride ourselves on being a leading reputable supplier of premium e-liquids, vape kits and vaping accessories.
Royal Flush Vape Support
In addition to providing excellent products, the team at Royal Flush Vape are available throughout your vaping journey, regardless of whatever stage you’re at. Our support is accessible across our social media channels, with direct support available through our live chat alongside an up-to-date collection of guides and blogs which can be read in your own time to stay up to date with everything vaping related.
As we continue to work alongside leading industry bodies such as the UK Vaping Industry Association and 1account age verification, we continue to strive forward in providing both excellent products and services whilst also focusing our efforts on helping people quit smoking and switch to a healthier lifestyle with vaping.
“Within England last year, nicotine vaping products were highlighted as the most popular aid in helping smokers quit”
If you know somebody wanting to quit smoking or looking to do so yourself, be sure to check out our wide range of products dedicated to help smokers quit. With a varied collection of starter kits such as PockeX by Aspire being our top pick with the best customer success rate, we are dedicated in helping people move away from cigarettes.
Disclaimer: The content on www.royalflushvape.co.uk offers general insights about vaping and vape related products. Please be aware that this information is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice and should only be relied upon when explicitly referenced. We make no guarantees regarding the accuracy, reliability, or health-related advantages of the content displayed across all pages of our website, including blog posts, product pages and social media content.
