Impact of a Menthol Ban: A Simulation Study

In April, the FDA announced their commitment to banning menthol cigarettes and cigars nationwide. A new study from the University of Michigan used a simulation model to estimate the public health impact of a US ban on menthol, starting in 2021 through 2060. With a ban, overall smoking was estimated to decrease 15% as early as 2026 due to menthol smokers quitting smoking or switching to nicotine vaping products. Deaths attributable to tobacco were projected to decrease by 5%, or a total of 650,000 lives saved, from 2021 to 2060. The impacts of a menthol ban would be strengthened by other tobacco control policies, however, these findings support the strength and effects of a menthol ban as a standalone policy. Read the full study here.

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