I remember when I was done fooling around with cigarettes and began a serious love affair with smoking, I chose menthol cigarettes. By that time, I was a pack-a-day 17 year old who enjoyed the "refreshing" taste of menthol with my tar!
When I moved countries I couldn't find my brand anymore and found it more difficult to switch back to regular cigarettes (although being the devoted smoker I was, I managed to adjust) because there was something fresher - even healthier about smoking a minty cigarette.
When we think of mint, we tend to think of cleanliness. Out toothpaste is minty, so is our mouth wash, and even some of our shampoos, body washes, face packs and soaps. It's all so...effervescent!
A new study has shown that menthol cigarettes are, in fact, much harder to quit than regular cigarettes. At a study done at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School showed that people smoking menthol cigarettes had HALF the success rate as smokers who smoked cigarettes of the non-menthol variety.
Researchers believe that even although smokers who prefer the menthol cigarettes smoke less, they find it much more difficult to quit. Since the mint flavoring masks the taste of tar, nicotine and poisons in cigarettes, there is less incentive to quit. The study concludes that this makes menthol cigarettes a far more dangerous choice.
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Do you smoke menthol cigarettes? Do you think you'll find it harder to quit?
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I started smoking again after having stopped for a long time. If I am honest with myself, my quit was based on external influences, and I started again because I realized down deep, I am a cigarette smoker, love thinking of myself as a smoker and relish every time I light up a Salem. I am happier as a smoker and do not ever want to be without cigarettes again.
October 19, 2017 - 7:12pmThis Comment
Hi. I'm a 50 y/o man and have been smoking since I was 12. I absolutely love smoking menthol 100s. But I have a problem. Lately I have been coughing quite a lot. I never want to quit smoking but I need to know what I can do to cough less or not at all. Any suggestions?
December 27, 2016 - 12:12amThis Comment
Used to sneak mums menthols at 14..was really easy. By 16 could buy my own, when parents smoke it's easy to just smoke in bedroom with Window as and when they smoke. By 18 was a full pack a day girl, had many a bf who liked the smoking side of me but then also had some bf who hated the smoking. 20 years on at 37 I still love every menthol I smoke! They are super addictive- I can't run out...last thing at night - cigarette, as soon as I open my eyes- cigarette. I haven't actually thought about quitting as I really don't want to. I do yoga and cycle in summer months but neither of these makes me want to quit my menthols.
I went thorough a phase of smoking about 30 day, but it was causing problems at work taking so many smoke breaks and I seemed to be smoking like what seemed to be all the time. I felt a little guilty about this so reduced back down to 20 a day without much cause for concern. I am a very happy 20 a day menthol Woman who has no desires to quit at the current time.
Amy
May 9, 2016 - 12:17pmThis Comment
Are menthol cigarettes more addictive? Absolutely!! I started smoking regular cigarettes in 1961 at the age of 11. This was before the Surgeon General's warning came out. By the time I was 13, I was smoking a pack a day with my parent's blessing. By the time I graduated from college, I was at two packs a day- just like my mother. I got pregnant at 25 and quit for three years. I remember it as being difficult but do-able.
I started smoking again at 28, but this time I chose menthol...and I loved it! Within no time at all, I was up to three packs a day. I wouldn't try quitting again until after my divorce at 47. No luck at all with quitting.
Two years later, I met a younger man who didn't smoke. He didn't complain, but I felt self-conscious enough about my smoking to try quitting. No luck. We got married when I was 51 and he was 25. We've been married for 15 years and I have struggled with trying to quit for most of our marriage, even though he has been nothing but supportive. Seriously, he has never complained once.
About a year ago, my doctor told me about the studies done on menthol versus regular cigarettes. He basically told me that it's not my fault that I can't quit smoking. It made so much sense and it took the guilt away. I have always enjoyed smoking, but now I can really enjoy it now that the guilt has been lifted. As for my husband, he likes my minty kisses so its a win-win situation for both of us.
May 4, 2016 - 2:46pmThis Comment
As a young girl, I started smoking menthol cigarettes when I was 11.
By 13 I'd become addicted and told mum. Her friend smoked menthols and warned me I'd never be able to stop smoking menthols. She was right. 30 years later, I smoke them like I remember her smoking them, one after another. Funny thing is I like them too much to want to quit.
They are very addictive.
June 28, 2014 - 10:16amThis Comment
I 110% agree. I simply cannot quit smoking my menthol cigarettes. But I really love them too.
I tried Nicorette cool drops 4mg lozenges. They helped a bit, however I think I'm hooked on them. Recently, I ran out and smoked ciggy after ciggy... Now I sneak a ciggy when having one, enhances the menthol.
I admit I am addicted to my menthols really badly.
May 25, 2014 - 6:09amThis Comment
I agree with you because menthol cigarettes are harder to quit than other cigarettes. I have seen teens prefer menthol cigarettes in my surrounding just for the reason that they mask nicotine. But personally i feel addiction to anything results in danger.
October 29, 2009 - 12:31amThanks for the information.
This Comment
I smoke methols and could quit tomorrow if I wanted. I think most addiction is in peoples mind as I have smoked for 5 years and have never had a problem going days without a cigarette if need be.
October 22, 2009 - 4:39pmThis Comment
I have smoked menthol cigarettes for about 18 years.
January 19, 2009 - 6:39amI totally agree with this! I would probably have a much easier time quitting if my brand of cigarettes were no longer sold.
This Comment
Interesting. When I smoked, I started on menthol cigarettes & then switched. I heard that menthol cigarettes are worse for you. Does anyone know if that is true?
January 18, 2009 - 2:45pmThis Comment