Pre-Conference Event- 10 June 2021: ENSP Scientific Webinar “Effects and Challenges in Enforcing Ban on Flavoured Tobacco Products”

Background:
Menthol cigarettes threaten tobacco control efforts by increasing the palatability and attractiveness of smoking, which can facilitate initiation and sustain use. In May 2020, menthol was banned as a characterising flavour in cigarettes and roll-your-own-tobacco in the European Union (EU).

Objectives:
The aim of this study was to examine behavioural responses to the EU menthol ban among adults in the Netherlands who reported smoking menthol cigarettes prior to the ban.

Methods:
Cross-sectional data came from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC) Netherlands with New Cohort Wave 2 Survey conducted from September to November 2020 among a nationally representative sample of adult smokers and recent quitters (N=1,926) in the Netherlands. Respondents completed the survey using computer assisted web interviews (CAWI). Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted in STATA using weighted data.

Results:
14.2% (n=291) of respondents reported that they smoked menthol cigarettes before the menthol ban. After the ban, 10.2% of pre-ban menthol smokers quit smoking entirely and 20.8% reduced the amount they smoked. Three-quarters smoked non-menthol cigarettes (75.8%). Other product replacement behaviours included: smoking roll-your-own tobacco cigarettes with menthol filters (20.9%), using other menthol tobacco products such as cigars (9.5%), and using e-cigarettes (15.9%). One-third of respondents reported that they found a way to get menthol cigarettes (33.2%), while 18.9% reported that they did something else.

Conclusions:
Findings suggest that the EU menthol ban increased quitting and reduced consumption among pre-ban menthol smokers in the Netherlands four to six months after its implementation. However, a majority of menthol smokers responded to the ban by using non-menthol cigarettes and one-third found a way to get menthol cigarettes. Results highlight the need for strategies to increase cessation support and ensure policy compliance.