The lingering question of menthol in cigarettes

摘要: Tobacco use is the single most important preventable cause of cancer-related deaths in USA and many parts world. There growing evidence that menthol cigarettes are starter tobacco products for children, adolescents, young adults. Accumulating research also suggests smoking reinforces nicotine dependence, impedes cessation, promotes relapse. However, exempt from US Food Drug Administration ban on flavored due, part, to lack empirical describing health consequences relative regular cigarettes. Determining biological effects cigarette smoke can clarify risks associated with respective assist regulatory agencies making scientifically based decisions development evaluation regulations protect public reduce by minors. We highlight inherent shortcomings conventional epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory have contributed ongoing debate impact In addition, we provide perspectives how future investigations exploiting state-of-the-art biomarkers exposure disease states help answer lingering question