Lung cancer risks among menthol-cigarette smokers are lower than among smokers of non-menthol brands, according to a U.S. study that may undermine attempts to ban menthol varieties.

The key findings of the study, led by William Blot, cancer epidemiologist at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Tennessee, are that menthol cigarettes are no more, and perhaps less, harmful than non-menthol cigarettes.
"The key finding was that the risk of lung cancer was no higher in menthol smokers," Blot has told Reuters. "In fact, it was a bit lower in mentholated compared to non-mentholated smokers." According to Reuters the study shows that lung cancer risk among menthol cigarette smokers was about 30 per cent lower, which was "statistically significantly lower."
The study appearing in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute also found there was no significance difference in the rate of quitting smoking between menthol and non-menthol smokers.
Blot said the team was surprised to find that menthol smokers had a lower risk but that the study helps lay to rest the question of whether menthol cigarettes are more toxic. "The answer is, no, they are not."
The study involved nearly 80,000 residents of 12 southern States from 2002 to 2009. Two-thirds of the participants were African-American and the rest were mostly white.
Last week the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended a menthol ban, saying it would improve public health in the U.S. The FDA is expected to issue a progress report on its menthol deliberations within 90 days. (pi)