Menthol cigarettes will be banned in the UK next month, as smoking laws are overhauled.
The ban - which will affect menthol cigarettes, menthol rollies, skinny cigarettes and click-dual cigarettes - is the culmination of a four-year phasing out period under EU Tobacco Product Directive laws.
While flavoured cigarettes are currently restricted to packs of 20, they’ll be banned entirely from May 20.
The charity ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) said the ban will stop the production and sale of any filters, paper, packaging, capsules or other component containing flavouring in cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco.
It also extends to 'technical features' which would allow consumers to modify the 'smell, taste, or smoke intensity' of the product - reports Mirror Online.
Amanda Sandford, of ASH, said increasing the price of cigarettes and stopping the sale of smaller packets have made smoking less appealing.
She added that banning menthol cigarettes could deter more younger people from smoking, she said: "It is naturally hard to inhale smoke and for many the first time they smoke it is repugnant, but people persevere with it and that's when they become addicted.
"There is evidence that menthol cigarettes relax the airways and the flavour masks the harshness of the smoke, therefore younger people find it easier to smoke.
"However, it is an absolute myth that menthol cigarettes are better for you.
"All cigarettes are harmful and menthol cigarettes are just as dangerous as normal cigarettes.”
According to the NHS, while menthol itself isn’t addictive, it can increase the addictiveness of nicotine.
It said: “Menthol is an additive that increases the addictiveness of the nicotine, though menthol by itself is not addictive in nature.
“Menthol is a mild anaesthetic that numbs your throat and stimulates cold receptors that creates a cooling sensation.”
