Many people prefer the flavour of menthol cigarettes among cigarettes. However, there are a lot of ill effects if you smoke cigarettes of any kind. The use and consumption of tobacco in any form is harmful to your health and well-being.

This ban does not apply to menthol filters or e-cigarettes such as FICH. Contrary to what the EU has stated, retailers are still allowed to sell "green cigarettes" or items with the same or almost similar name as previously existing menthol cigarettes. 

The retailer should confirm that there is no actual menthol in the cigarette itself. Retailers are obliged to make known to the customer that these "green" cigarettes do not contain menthol whatsoever and educate them simultaneously on the menthol ban.  

Are menthol cigarettes banned?

The ban on menthol cigarettes came into effect in the UK on 20th May 2020. This came as a part of the new anti-smoking laws in all stores, across all the UK countries.

Imposing this ban means that it is now illegal for stores, factories, and merchants in the UK to sell or manufacture menthol cigarettes. This ban includes click-on, crushball, capsule, click and roll, and dual menthol cigarettes in the UK.

This directive involves a four-year project initiated by the European Union that aims to control and direct the tobacco product’s sale and purchase regulations. The directive is a part of a longer-term project intended to make the UK a smoke-free nation by 2030.

Are menthol filters banned?

Although menthol cigarettes are banned in the UK, there is no mention of mental filter bans. It is only illegal to sell them if they are packed with cigarettes or with tobacco.'

Menthol filters are still allowed to be purchased by customers if they buy the filter and the tobacco separately. 

E-cigarette menthol

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that you can use as an alternative to regular smoking. It is considered a safer alternative to regular smoking, be it flavoured or unflavoured tobacco. 

People are known to use e-cigarettes as a means of helping them reduce and even quit smoking. Although they are less harmful than their counterparts, it does not free them from any adverse effects. 

The menthol ban in the UK does not, however, apply toe-cigarettes or heated tobacco products.

When do menthol cigarettes get banned?

The ban is effective from 20th May 2020, so merchants cannot stock up on menthol cigarettes and sell illegally. This ban applies across all the different countries in the UK, so it has no loopholes for merchants to stock up and sell them. 

When does the menthol ban take effect?

From 20th May 2020 onwards, the menthol cigarette ban is in full force. Before this total ban on menthol cigarettes in the UK, it was only illegal to sell menthol cigarettes in packs of 20 or more. 

This initiative stemmed from an inclusive tobacco product directive legislation by taking into consideration in-depth research that was conducted on young smokers. The study found that youths who smoke cigarettes mostly smoke menthol cigarettes. Addiction at such an early age can develop into something chronic and deadly as the years proceed. 

The most common misconception among menthol cigarette smokers is that menthol is a lighter, less deadly tobacco form, health-wise. This is probably the reason why there is a lot of demand for menthol cigarettes. 

It is true that menthol cigarettes are more appealing to some people than regular non-menthol cigarettes. They are also more popular among younger customers since they mask the strong smell of tobacco and unpleasant taste. 

To make sure that tobacco is unavailable for younger customers and subsequently reducing its consumption is the target of banning menthol cigarettes. 

Why are menthol cigarettes getting banned?

The EU (European Union) bans menthol cigarettes in the UK as part of an initiative to prevent and reduce tobacco use. Accordingly, tobacco is the "single largest avoidable health risk," which means that stopping tobacco sales can significantly reduce tobacco consumption. 

Tobacco has also been deemed as the "most significant cause of premature death." In any form, people who consume tobacco- smoking or chewing tobacco- die 14 years earlier than non-smokers, on average. 

The European Union has also undertaken several initiatives to help youngsters with tobacco addiction. These initiatives' goal is to help them stop and reduce their tobacco addiction early because it manifests into chronic diseases. 

According to UK statistics, nearly 93% of smokers start smoking before 26, a very young age group. This is why the UE has put together the "Tobacco Product Directive' to tackle the rising problem of smoking and tobacco consumption.

 By enacting this law, all products associated with smoking fall under scrutiny and are banned to reduce the sale of cigarettes and discourage smoking. This includes menthol cigarettes that mask the smell and taste of tobacco, but still, have the harmful effects of smoking.

This legislation also takes up printing warning signs, symbols, and pictures that discourage smoking and chewing tobacco on the packets before the ban was in full effect.

Through various studies conducted by researchers, it was found that menthol smokers are most likely to become lifelong smokers s compared to regular cigarette smokers. 

Will menthol vape juice be banned in the UK?

It will still be possible to buy menthol-flavoured vaping juice, filters, and refills that do not break the law even if they are connected to an e-cigarette.

With the effect of the menthol ban affecting smokers all over the UK, there is so much research going into finding an alternative to menthol cigarettes. fichlabs.co.uk offers these alternatives, which are legal and does not conflict with the EU's interests in the use of tobacco products.

About FICH

FICH is an uncompromising brand with a rebel spirit. Our feature is in boundless inner freedom and courage. We are well aware of what we want and what we need to do to get it. F*ch it!

Together with Swiss developers and in collaboration with the best German manufacturer of e-cigarette liquids, we created a new generation product - the electronic nicotine delivery system called FICH.

It’s an innovative development for alternative smoking. The closed pod system is based on salt-nicotine and currently comes in 7 unique flavours. The 6mm-thin profile has ultra-fast charging which is under 20 mins to a full charge. 

FICH uses two revolutionary systems. Anti-leakage protects the pod against leaking and spitback protection against liquid entering the mouth while inhaling.

To find out more information on each flavour and how the device works, please head over to the shop.