MENTHOL CIGARETTE ALTERNATIVES

When does the ban start?

The EU ban of menthol cigarettes come into force on the 20th May 2020. From this point on, you will no longer be able to purchase menthol flavoured cigarettes anywhere within the UK and EU.

Why are menthol cigarettes being banned?

The ban is part of the 2016 EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) which bans all cigarettes and rolling tobacco with any flavour other than traditional tobacco that has a characterising flavour.

What products are affected?

According to the directive, the products affected are cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco with:

- a filter, paper, package, capsule or other component containing flavourings
- a filter, paper or capsule containing tobacco or nicotine or
a technical feature allowing the consumer to modify the smell, taste, or smoke intensity of the product.

Does that include E-cigarettes?

No, this ban EXCLUDES a wide range of menthol flavoured alternatives to smoking including:

VAPE KITS & E CIGARETTES - HEAT-NOT-BURN TOBACCO
E LIQUIDS - NICOTINE POUCHES, GUMS & SPRAYS

For more details about these products see our guide below

Is vaping safer than smoking?

As an alternative, E-cigarettes aren’t completely risk-free but they are estimated to be at least 95% less harmful than cigarettes. The liquid and vapour do contain some potentially harmful chemicals also found in tobacco smoke, but at much lower levels.

Additionally, there’s no evidence that vaping causes harm to other people around you. This contrasts with the strong evidence of harm to others from secondhand cigarette smoke.

For more information about switching from smoking from vaping, see our quit smoking guide here

What if I want to quit smoking altogether?

If you don’t want to switch to vaping, there are other alternative products available.
Read our product guide below for more details.

VAPOURCORE ALSO OFFER A ‘QUIT SMOKING’ SUPPORT SERVICE WHICH INCLUDES A
CONSULTATION AND GIVES PRODUCT ADVICE TAILORED TO YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

TO FIND OUT MORE, YOU CAN CONTACT US BY:

Calling us on 0300 303 0233 and choosing the Customer Advisor option.
Clicking the chat box in the bottom-right corner of the page where one of our Online Advisors can guide you.
Emailing us for guidance on switching at [email protected]