Menthol Cigarettes and Maternal Health: 2004-2022

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Reproductive Health
• Addiction Science

Background:

• Menthol cigarettes are a significant public health concern in the United States.
• The US is considering a ban on menthol cigarettes.
• Understanding menthol smoking prevalence and its impact on pregnant women is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of menthol cigarette smoking among pregnant women in the US.
• To investigate the association between menthol smoking and maternal health outcomes.
• To analyze trends in menthol smoking among pregnant women over time.

Main Methods:

• A nationally representative study utilizing data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2004-2022).
• Inclusion of 14,226 pregnant women aged 18-44 years.
• Multivariate regression analyses to assess associations between menthol smoking and health indicators.

Main Results:

• 7.0% of pregnant women smoked menthol cigarettes; prevalence varied significantly by race/ethnicity and sexual orientation.
• Menthol smoking increased from 47.0% to 60.1% among pregnant smokers between 2004-2022, with notable rises in Hispanic and Black women.
• Menthol smokers reported higher rates of emergency department visits and mental health issues compared to nonmenthol smokers.

Conclusions:

• Menthol smoking is associated with poorer health outcomes in pregnant women.
• Policies to reduce menthol cigarette use could significantly improve maternal health, especially for at-risk populations.
• Targeted cessation programs are needed for pregnant women who smoke menthol cigarettes.