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Nicotine & Tobacco Research : Official... May 2024Menthol cigarette bans have been implemented in some US states and localities, and a federal ban is being proposed by the FDA. This study asks how young adults who use...
INTRODUCTION
Menthol cigarette bans have been implemented in some US states and localities, and a federal ban is being proposed by the FDA. This study asks how young adults who use menthol cigarettes respond to changes in menthol cigarette availability.
AIMS AND METHODS
An online survey of young adults ages 18-34 who reported smoking menthol cigarettes on ≥7 of 30 days around Thanksgiving 2019 (n = 734), oversampling Massachusetts-the first state with a menthol ban. Participants reported their tobacco use behavior following real-world menthol cigarette bans or predicted their behavior under a hypothetical federal ban.
RESULTS
Most respondents who exclusively smoked versus dual used with e-cigarettes continued smoking/using combustible tobacco following real-world bans (95.3% vs. 86.9%), accessing menthol cigarettes from other jurisdictions. Fewer who smoked exclusively responded by using e-cigarettes compared to those who dual used (3.9% vs. 43.7%). Quitting all tobacco use (ie, no smoking, vaping, or any tobacco use) was uncommon for both groups (3.6% vs. 9.0%). Under a hypothetical ban, majorities of those who exclusively smoke and who dual use predicted they would continue smoking (72.2% vs. 71.8%); fewer who smoke exclusively would use e-cigarettes compared to those who dual use (14.7% vs. 41.4%). Those who smoke exclusively were more likely to report quitting all tobacco compared to those who dual use (29.6% vs. 12.4%).
CONCLUSIONS
Under real-world and hypothetical menthol cigarette bans, most respondents continued smoking. However, more young adults continued smoking following real-world bans, reflecting the limitations of local/state restrictions when menthol cigarettes are available in other jurisdictions.
IMPLICATIONS
This survey asked young adults who use menthol cigarettes how they responded to real-world changes in the availability of menthol cigarettes; 89% reported continuing to smoke. Those who smoked exclusively were far less likely to respond by switching to e-cigarettes compared to people who dual used both products. Under a hypothetical federal menthol cigarette ban, 72% of young adults predicted that they would continue smoking. Quitting all tobacco was less common in the real-world scenario compared to the hypothetical ban. Access to menthol cigarettes in other jurisdictions and flavored cigars likely dampen the public health benefit of menthol cigarette bans.
Topics: Humans; Menthol; Young Adult; Adult; Male; Female; Adolescent; Tobacco Products; Flavoring Agents; United States; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Surveys and Questionnaires; Smoking Cessation; Vaping; Cigarette Smoking; Massachusetts
PubMed: 38147008
DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntad259 -
Addictive Behaviors Aug 2024The proposed FDA product standard to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in combustible cigarettes has the potential to significantly reduce tobacco-related... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
The proposed FDA product standard to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in combustible cigarettes has the potential to significantly reduce tobacco-related health disparities. Whether a menthol e-liquid product standard would improve or hinder public health is unknown. No known research has directly examined the impact of menthol vs. tobacco flavored e-liquid use on acute e-cigarette use patterns, subjective experience, behavioral intentions, and craving and withdrawal among menthol cigarette smokers.
METHODS
Black (n = 47) and White (n = 4) nicotine-deprived menthol smokers with limited e-cigarette experience completed two counterbalanced in-laboratory 30-minute ad libitum vaping sessions with menthol and tobacco nicotine salt-based e-liquid in a randomized crossover pilot trial design. Questionnaires assessed reductions in craving and withdrawal and post-session subjective experience and behavioral intentions. Puff topography was measured continuously throughout each vaping session.
RESULTS
Measures of puff topography did not differ significantly by e-liquid flavor (all p > .40). Similarly, menthol and tobacco flavored e-cigarettes were both rated positively in terms of subjective effects and behavioral intentions (all p > .10) and about 40 % of participants reported a preference for the tobacco-flavored e-liquid. Finally, participants showed comparable reductions in craving (p = .210) and withdrawal (p = .671) from pre- and post-session regardless of e-liquid flavor.
CONCLUSIONS
Among menthol smokers in a lab-based setting, findings suggest that menthol vs tobacco e-liquid flavor has little impact on acute changes in puff patterns, subjective experience, behavioral intentions, or craving and withdrawal.
Topics: Humans; Menthol; Male; Female; Vaping; Adult; Flavoring Agents; White People; Craving; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Intention; Black or African American; Cross-Over Studies; Young Adult; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; Pilot Projects; Middle Aged; Smokers; Tobacco Products
PubMed: 38613857
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108038 -
Public Health Reports (Washington, D.C.... 2021The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and local jurisdictions have different authorities to regulate menthol cigarettes, and a growing number of localities and the...
OBJECTIVES
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and local jurisdictions have different authorities to regulate menthol cigarettes, and a growing number of localities and the FDA are considering these policy options. The objective of this study was to update previous research on public support for a menthol ban, including examining differences in support by demographic factors, geographic region, and smoking status.
METHODS
We assessed policy support among a cross-sectional sample of 2871 adults aged 18-64 from a nationally representative online panel. We calculated weighted estimates of support by demographic factors, political ideology, region (Northeast, Midwest, South, West), and smoking status (never, former, current nonmenthol, current menthol). We used weighted adjusted logistic regression analysis to examine correlates of support for a menthol ban.
RESULTS
Overall, 56.4% (95% CI, 54.4%-58.3%) of participants supported a government policy to ban menthol cigarette sales. Support was significantly higher among women than among men (62.5% vs 50.1%; < .001); among Hispanic/Latino (69.3%), non-Hispanic African American (60.5%), and non-Hispanic other (65.8%) people than among non-Hispanic White people (50.4%; < .001); and among never (64.8%) and former (47.0%) smokers than among current nonmenthol cigarette smokers (30.1%; < .001). A significant proportion (28.5%; < .001) of current menthol cigarette smokers supported a ban. After controlling for other factors, geographic region was not significantly associated with support for a ban.
CONCLUSIONS
Efforts are needed to further increase support for a ban among current menthol cigarette smokers. These findings can be used to assist policy makers and communities in efforts to ban menthol cigarettes in their jurisdictions.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Menthol; Middle Aged; Public Opinion; Racial Groups; Residence Characteristics; Sex Factors; Smoking; Socioeconomic Factors; Tobacco Products; United States; Young Adult
PubMed: 33166487
DOI: 10.1177/0033354920966004 -
Nature Mar 2023The selective conversion of natural or synthetic neral to (1R,6S)-trans-isopiperitenol would enable and expedite sustainable routes to menthol and cannabinoids. However,...
The selective conversion of natural or synthetic neral to (1R,6S)-trans-isopiperitenol would enable and expedite sustainable routes to menthol and cannabinoids. However, this reaction has been considered impossible because its product is more reactive to the required acid catalysts than its starting material, resulting in several side products. We now show that an unsymmetric, strong and confined chiral acid, a highly fluorinated imino-imidodiphosphate, catalyses this process with excellent efficiency and selectivity. Expanding the method to other α,β-unsaturated aldehydes could enable access to new cannabinoids and menthol derivatives not readily accessible previously. Mechanistic studies suggest that the confined catalyst accomplishes this reaction by binding the product in an unreactive conformation, thereby preventing its decomposition. We also show how (1R,6S)-trans-isopiperitenol can be readily converted to pharmaceutically useful cannabinoids and menthol, each in the shortest and most atom-economic routes so far.
Topics: Cannabinoids; Catalysis; Menthol; Aldehydes; Halogenation; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; Acyclic Monoterpenes
PubMed: 36859552
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05747-9 -
Microvascular Research Jan 2022Topical menthol-based analgesics increase skin blood flow (SkBF) through transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) receptor-dependent activation of sensory... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Topical menthol-based analgesics increase skin blood flow (SkBF) through transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) receptor-dependent activation of sensory nerves and endothelium-derived hyperpolarization factors. It is unclear if menthol-induced TRPM8 activation mediates a reflex change in SkBF across the dermatome in an area not directly treated with menthol. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of localized topical menthol application on SkBF across a common dermatome. We hypothesized that SkBF would be increased with menthol at the site of application and across the dermatome (contralateral limb) through a spinal reflex mechanism. In a double blind, placebo controlled, cross-over design, 15 healthy participants (7 men; age = 22 ± 1 yrs) were treated with direct application (3 ml over 8 × 13 cm) of 5% menthol gel (Biofreeze™) or placebo gel on the L4 dermatome, separated by 48 h. Red blood cell flux was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry over the area of application, on the contralateral leg of the same dermatome, and in a separate dermatome (L5/S1) to serve as control. Cutaneous vascular conductance was calculated for each measurement site (CVC = flux/MAP). At baseline there were no differences in CVC between menthol and placebo gels, or among sites (all p > 0.05). After 30 ± 6 min, CVC increased at the treated site with menthol (0.12 ± 0.02 vs. 1.36 ± 0.19 flux/mm Hg, p < 0.01) but not the placebo (0.10 ± 0.01 vs. 0.18 ± 0.04 flux/mm Hg, p = 0.91). There was a modest increase in CVC at the contralateral L4 dermatome with menthol gel (0.16 ± 0.04 vs. 0.29 ± 0.06 flux/mm Hg, p < 0.01), but not placebo (0.11 ± 0.02 vs. 0.15 ± 0.03 flux/mm Hg, p = 0.41). There was no effect on SkBF from either treatments at the L5/S1 control dermatome (both, p > 0.05), suggesting the lack of a systemic response. In conclusion, menthol containing topical analgesic gels increased SkBF at the treated site, and modestly throughout the dermatome. These data suggest menthol-induced activation of the TRPM8 receptors induces an increase in SkBF across the area of common innervation through a localized spinal reflex mechanism.
Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Analgesics; Blood Flow Velocity; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gels; Humans; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; Male; Menthol; Regional Blood Flow; Sensory Receptor Cells; Signal Transduction; Skin; TRPM Cation Channels; Thermosensing; Vasodilation; Young Adult
PubMed: 34717968
DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2021.104271 -
The Clinical Respiratory Journal Dec 2023About 40% of nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) have already progressed in an advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. Development of effective prevention and therapy...
BACKGROUND
About 40% of nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) have already progressed in an advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. Development of effective prevention and therapy approaches against NSCLC is critical for reducing mortality. As a fundamental ingredient of peppermint oil, menthol has been demonstrated to possess an antitumor activity in several types of carcinomas. However, the potential role of menthol on NSCLC has not been reported. The present study aims to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of menthol on proliferation, apoptosis, and mobility of human lung adenocarcinoma.
METHODS
Cell apoptosis was examined by MTT and flow cytometry. The motility of cells was determined by Transwell assay. Western blot analysis was performed to determine expression level of proteins. In vivo model of nude mice was established for evaluating the influence of menthol on tumorigenicity of A549 cells. The expression lentiviral vector of Akt was established in NSCLC cells for further verifying the inhibiting effect of menthol on survival and mobility of NSCLC cells via Akt pathway.
RESULTS
The results showed that menthol promoted A549 cell apoptosis, suppressed cell proliferation, and motility by altering the phosphorylated protein level of Akt. Menthol enhanced the expression level of Bax while decreasing expression of Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and MMPs proteins. In vivo experiments suggested that menthol exhibited an inhibitory effect in tumor growth on xenografts. These results were further validated in Akt over-expressed A549 and H1299 cells.
CONCLUSIONS
Menthol could display an inhibitory effect on NSCLC cells through Akt signaling pathway, making it a potential target for NSCLC treatment.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Humans; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Lung Neoplasms; Menthol; Mice, Nude; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Apoptosis; Cell Proliferation; Carcinoma; Lung; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 38012058
DOI: 10.1111/crj.13713 -
Tobacco Control Apr 2023To estimate the effect of menthol use and transitions in use (switching to or from menthol) on short-term and long-term cessation from cigarette smoking and whether this...
OBJECTIVES
To estimate the effect of menthol use and transitions in use (switching to or from menthol) on short-term and long-term cessation from cigarette smoking and whether this differed across demographic groups (age, sex, race).
METHODS
We compared the probability of 30+ day and 12-month abstinence from cigarette smoking by menthol use status using two cohorts of US adult cigarette smokers who attempted to quit smoking in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (wave 1 to wave 3 and wave 2 to wave 4; n=5759), inverse probability of treatment weighting and adjusted risk ratios (aRRs).
RESULTS
Using menthol (vs non-menthol) prior to a quit attempt decreased the probability of 30+ day abstinence by 28% (aRR=0.78; 95% CI 0.67 to 0.91) and the probability of 12-month abstinence by 53% (aRR=0.65; 95% CI 0.47 to 0.88). Additionally, switching from menthol (vs maintaining menthol use) increased the probability of 30+ day abstinence by 58% (aRR=1.58; 95% CI 1.00 to 2.50) and the probability of 12-month abstinence by 97% (aRR=1.86; 95% CI 0.92 to 3.74). Switching to menthol (vs maintaining non-menthol use) was associated with a lower probability of 30+ day (aRR=0.70; 95% CI 0.42 to 1.16) and 12-month abstinence (aRR=0.64; 95% CI 0.30 to 1.36), but these associations were imprecise. The effects of menthol use on impaired quitting were slightly larger for non-Hispanic Black smokers, but not different for other demographic groups.
CONCLUSION
These results demonstrate that menthol impaired menthol smokers' attempts to quit smoking but switching from menthol improved success. This suggests that removing menthol may improve menthol smokers' success during quit attempts.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Smokers; Smoking Cessation; Menthol; Tobacco Products; Health Behavior; Nicotiana
PubMed: 34230056
DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056596 -
Health Promotion Practice Nov 2023Although menthol cigarettes are a starter product for youth, menthol was exempted from the 2009 Tobacco Control Act, which banned all other characterizing flavors....
Although menthol cigarettes are a starter product for youth, menthol was exempted from the 2009 Tobacco Control Act, which banned all other characterizing flavors. Minneapolis and Duluth, Minnesota, implemented menthol tobacco sales restrictions in 2018 to advance health equity for youth, African American, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ), and other communities adversely affected by menthol. This evaluation assesses the policy impact on youth access to menthol tobacco, exposure to menthol advertising, and tobacco use. A core group of youth aged 14 to 17 years (n = 30) was recruited from Minneapolis and Duluth to gather data through photo voice and peer interviews 2 months before and after policy implementation. This evaluation shares the results of focus groups with these core youth where they reflected on what they observed in the community and heard from peers. The core youth identified and categorized emergent themes using the evaluation questions. Following the focus groups, the evaluation staff used these preliminary themes and coded remaining transcripts. The core youth had mixed reactions to the impact of policies on access and use because many tobacco users in their age group obtain tobacco informally through peers, family members, and online. They observed decreases in retail advertising of menthol cigarettes, although many felt e-cigarettes and online advertising were more significant issues for their age group. Findings show a need for increased education and more comprehensive policy approaches, including addressing use of flavored e-cigarettes, online tobacco sales, and informal access, making youth access to tobacco more difficult.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adolescent; Minnesota; Menthol; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Tobacco Products; Nicotiana
PubMed: 36263446
DOI: 10.1177/15248399221127046 -
Science Progress 2022This study was conducted to evaluate some terpenes effect on the behavior and immune function of hemocytes in adults of the red palm weevil . Six individual different...
Disruption impact of citronella and menthol insecticides on adults behavior and hemocytes morphology in the red palm weevil ferrugineus "Oliver" (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).
This study was conducted to evaluate some terpenes effect on the behavior and immune function of hemocytes in adults of the red palm weevil . Six individual different terpenes these are: (±)-menthol, B-citronellol, ( + )-3-carene, (R)- ( + )- limonene, citronella oil and orange terpenes. The results revealed significant differences between the terpenes used on the olfactory response on this insect, in that half of the compounds were very attractive while the other half were repellant to them. This behavior study results with olfactometer citronella oil exhibited an 80% attraction response rate for both sexes, while menthol exhibited a 60% attraction response rate for females and 100% for males. By contrast, menthol had a more significant effect on adults than citronella, lethal concentration at 50 scale (LC) values of 1.03, 0.89, and 0.9 mg, and LC values of 5.09, 2.01, and 1.59 mg, after 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. For citronella oil, the LC values were 2.09, 1.76, and 1.70 mg after 24, 48, and 72 h, and the LC values were 5.5, 3.7, and 1.5 mg after 24, 48 and 72h, were noted. In the present study, the effects of citronella and methanol insecticides were observed on six types of hemocytes namely prohemocytes, granulocytes, plasmatocytes, oenocytes, coagulocytes and spherulocytes. Both citronella oil and menthol had a histopathological effect on the hemocytes of the adult red palm weevil, specifically, on the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus. The findings also revealed that the vacuoles in some hemocytes, specifically, the prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, and granulocytes were more sensitive than those in other hemocytes, which remained unaffected by the treatment.The effects of citronella and menthol on RPW immunity were demonstrated in this study, and this information may be applied to their usage in integrated pest control at sub-lethal dosages.
Topics: Animals; Coleoptera; Cymbopogon; Female; Hemocytes; Insecticides; Lamiaceae; Larva; Magnoliopsida; Male; Menthol; Weevils
PubMed: 35188836
DOI: 10.1177/00368504221079437 -
Nature Communications Jun 2022Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channel is a Ca-permeable non-selective cation channel that acts as the primary cold sensor in humans. TRPM8 is also...
Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channel is a Ca-permeable non-selective cation channel that acts as the primary cold sensor in humans. TRPM8 is also activated by ligands such as menthol, icilin, and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP), and desensitized by Ca. Here we have determined electron cryo-microscopy structures of mouse TRPM8 in the absence of ligand, and in the presence of Ca and icilin at 2.5-3.2 Å resolution. The ligand-free state TRPM8 structure represents the full-length structure of mammalian TRPM8 channels with a canonical S4-S5 linker and the clearly resolved selectivity filter and outer pore loop. TRPM8 has a short but wide selectivity filter which may account for its permeability to hydrated Ca. Ca and icilin bind in the cytosolic-facing cavity of the voltage-sensing-like domain of TRPM8 but induce little conformational change. All the ligand-bound TRPM8 structures adopt the same closed conformation as the ligand-free structure. This study reveals the overall architecture of mouse TRPM8 and the structural basis for its ligand recognition.
Topics: Animals; Cold Temperature; Ligands; Mammals; Menthol; Mice; TRPM Cation Channels; Thermosensing; Transient Receptor Potential Channels
PubMed: 35662242
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30919-y