Menthol Cigarettes Banned in the UK in 2020

Menthol cigarettes, skinny cigs and flavoured tobacco products will be banned in the UK as of 20th May 2020 under the new EU smoking regulations. Meant to curb the uptake of youth smoking rates and deter people from starting smoking, the TRPR regulations mean that smokers will no longer have the choice of any flavoured tobacco products including menthol.

The ban covers any tobacco product that has a ‘characterising flavour’. Including cigarettes and rolling tobacco, as well as all ‘skinny’ cigs. The menthol ban is implemented with very little coverage and people may be shocked come May 2020.

Menthol Cigarettes UK

Updated: 20th Jan 2020

Around 24.5% of all smokers use some form of menthol cigarette / rolling tobacco. Whether that be a straight flavour or the newer capsule / 'crushball' type. But 2019 was the last full year that they could buy menthol cigarettes in the UK.

Despite the popularity of menthol cigarettes, the public awareness of the ban on everything menthol seems to be low. This means that many people who have bought menthol cigarettes as part of their daily routine, may walk into a shop after the 20th May 2020, and be caught short as they will no longer be available.

Menthol Ban Appeal

Phillip Morris, manufacturers of cigarette brands including Marlboro launched an appeal against the change in law.

They manufacture over 850 billion cigarettes a year and claimed that change in law would do irreparable damage to them. But this appeal was declined by the European Court of Justice.

Many people are welcoming the ban. Deborah Arnott of Action on Smoking and Health said:

Research shows that menthol in cigarettes makes it easier for children to try smoking and to go on to become addicted smokers.

Getting rid of menthol cigarettes will reduce the likelihood of young people taking up smoking, and make it easier for smokers to quit. It’s disgraceful that Imperial Tobacco is trying to undermine the ban by selling cards which infuse menthol into cigarettes.

This breaks both the spirit and letter of the law, which bans the use of technical features allowing the consumer to modify the smell and taste of tobacco products.

Where do menthol smokers go now?

Think tanks who have studied smokers and particularly menthol smokers are of the opinion that most people will either move over to regular tobacco, or make the switch over to a menthol flavoured vape. As a UK vape company whose core ethos is ‘empowering smokers to transform their lives‘, we are hoping for the latter.

Vaping is so successful in the bid to quit smoking because it takes care of all your vaping triggers. Hand to mouth action, throat hit, inhaling, exhaling and keeping the hands busy are all ticked off, the moment you pick up your first e-cig. Our simple guide to vaping is the perfect place to start. If you are thinking of quitting smoking and making the switch to vaping.

With over 11 years at the top of vaping industry, our advances in UK made e-liquid, particularly menthol e-liquids, means that you are only getting the best. So if you are a menthol smoker who has been considering an e-cig, this is the place to start. We already have a huge variety of menthol e-liquids available. Each one with a differing nuance and suited to smokers of different brands.

Let's take a closer look at some of our most popular menthol e-liquids.

Red Label E-liquid – Ice Menthol

Switz Smooth E-liquid – Menthol

Mr Wicked’s E-liquid – Wicked Menthol

Titan E-liquid – Menthol