The Association Between Menthol Perceptions and Support for a Policy Ban Among US Smokers

To examine the relationship between menthol perceptions and support for a national menthol ban.

Data were collected from a nationally representative probability-based panel of adults aged ≥18 years during June 21, 2016 through July 18, 2016. A total of 1,303 respondents, including an oversample of 300 African Americans, completed the survey.

Weighted logistic regression models examined the relationship between menthol perceptions, specifically related to health and addiction, and the outcome measure: support for a menthol ban, by menthol smoking status. All models controlled for age, sex, education level, and race/ethnicity.

The association between reporting accurate menthol health perceptions differed by menthol preference. Among non-menthol smokers, there was no association between accurate menthol health perceptions and support of a menthol ban while more accurate menthol perceptions of addiction were associated with greater support of a menthol ban (aOR=2.83, CI=1.19-6.72). Among menthol smokers, more accurate health-related menthol perceptions were associated with increased odds of supporting a menthol ban (aOR=3.90, CI=1.02-14.79) while more accurate menthol addiction perceptions were not.

Fewer current menthol smokers support a menthol ban than current non-menthol smokers given its effect on their preferred product. Given the large proportions of smokers who have misperceptions of the health consequences and addictive properties of menthol, there is a moral imperative to inform those who use these products. Findings suggest the need for tailored messaging strategies targeted to reach menthol smokers who will be most impacted by a ban, but also have the most to gain from such a policy change.