Sneaky cigarette firms introduced new mint-flavoured fags within days of a new ban on menthol ones.
Campaigners at ASH Ireland at the Irish Heart Foundation said they are not surprised big tobacco has found a runaround to beat the legislation.
Last week Health Minister Simon Harris signed the order that banned the sale of menthol cigarettes from May 20.
However, the tobacco companies were ready and new formulations have already appeared that are branding themselves as “fresh” instead of “menthol”.
Flavoured cigarettes have long been recognised as appealing more to younger smokers and critics say the flavours were just scams to get kids hooked.
A smoker who puffed the menthol Silk Cut Choice Double up to last week tried the new Choice Green yesterday and told us they tasted the exact same.
Silk Cut manufacturers Japanese Tobacco International told the Mirror last night they are breaking no laws.
Chairman of ASH and the Council of the Irish Heart Foundation Dr Pat Doorley said: “In Ireland all flavoured tobacco products with the exception of menthol cigarettes were prohibited in May 2016.
“Menthol cigarettes are not less harmful than regular cigarettes. In fact, the FDA found they are more addictive and harder to quit.”
A spokesman for JTI said: “As of May 20, cigarettes with characterising flavours and cigarettes with flavour capsules are banned in line with EU Tobacco Products Directive requirements.
“As a consequence, JTI has discontinued some brands and introduced new products for existing adult smokers that are fully compliant with EUTPD.”
