Study Reveals Menthol Vapes to be More Toxic Than Other E-cigarettes
Matthew Russell
Experts are calling for menthol vapes to be banned after a study published in Respiratory Research found that menthol flavors make e-cigarettes far more toxic to the lungs. The study compared the vapor released by popular menthol and non-menthol vapes in a lab and found that e-cigarettes containing menthol generated far more toxic microparticles compared to the menthol-free varieties.
Menthol vapes pose a significant risk to individuals, particularly young people, the CDC reports. These products are addictive, while long-term use can lead to physically detrimental effects.
Photo: The dangers of menthol vapes
The study revealed that adding menthol flavoring to electronic cigarettes could damage the lungs more than regular e-cigarettes. It also showed that the common mint flavoring helps deliver many more toxic microparticles compared with e-cigarette pods that don't contain menthol. It's those microparticles that damage lung function, leading to severe damage to the lungs and heart comparable to traditional tobacco products, reports the Omaha World-Herald.
Photo: Adobe Stock / San4ezz007Menthol vapes contain a high concentration of nicotine, which is highly addictive.
The addictive nature of menthol vapes
Menthol is a substance that can lead to addiction when inhaled, the American Lung Association reports. It gives a cooling sensation in the throat and lungs, making it easier for individuals to inhale and hold smoke in their lungs. This substance has the effect of making the individual feel the nicotine more intensely, which reinforces addiction.
While menthol cigarettes have been banned in several countries, menthol vapes are still widely available in the market. In fact, many manufacturers are now producing menthol vapes specifically targeting young adults and teenagers.
Photo: Menthol vapes contain a high concentration of nicotine, which is highly addictive and can lead to various health problems, Boston University reports. Nicotine is a stimulant that increases the heart rate and blood pressure, leading to cardiovascular problems. It can also lead to respiratory problems such as asthma and chronic bronchitis. Moreover, nicotine is highly toxic, and a high concentration can lead to nicotine poisoning, which can be fatal.
In addition to nicotine, menthol vapes also contain other harmful chemicals such as propylene glycol, glycerin, and flavoring agents. These chemicals, when heated, can produce harmful compounds such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, which are known carcinogens, Johns Hopkins Medicine reports.
Photo: Adobe Stock / Diego CervoYoung adults and teenagers are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of menthol vapes.
Physically detrimental effects of menthol vaping
E-cigarette aerosols are known to contain many harmful substances, such as nicotine and formaldehyde, according to Rally Health. These substances can cause lung damage that impairs lung function. A study published in Frontiers in Physiology found that menthol flavoring leads to a significantly higher number of particle counts that one would take into their lungs by vaping them. Another study in the FASEB Journal shows that vaping these substances can cause lung inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and airway hyper-responsiveness that can trigger asthma. Menthol, in particular, is such a toxic substance.
The use of menthol vapes has been linked to various debilitating health problems, including lung damage, heart issues, and even death. According to doctors at Harvard, the use of menthol vapes significantly increases the risk of lung injury.
Photo: Adobe Stock / Мaksim GMenthol vapes contain harmful chemicals like propylene glycol, glycerin, and flavoring agents.
Impact of long-term menthol vaping
Regular and constant use of menthol vaping can lead to addiction and health problems. Individuals who use menthol vapes regularly may develop a chronic cough, experience shortness of breath, and have an increased risk of respiratory infections, Johns Hopkins Medicine reports.
Moreover, this habit can lead to addiction, which can then lead to a higher risk of smoking traditional cigarettes. Menthol vapes have also been linked to an increased risk of addiction to other substances such as alcohol and drugs, reports the Partnership to End Addiction. This is because the use of menthol vapes can alter the brain's chemistry and increase the craving for other substances.
Photo: Efforts to ban menthol vapes
Several states in the US have taken steps to ban menthol vapes.
According to Tobacco Free Kids, In November 2019, Massachusetts was the first state to limit the sale of flavored tobacco products, which included menthol cigarettes. In 2020, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island also implemented bans on the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, and California became the second state to prohibit the sale of both flavored e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes.
Maryland and Utah have limited the sale of some flavored e-cigarettes. Maryland bans the sale of all flavored cartridge-based and disposable e-cigarettes except for those that are menthol-flavored. Utah prohibits the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in non-retail tobacco specialty businesses, except for mint- and menthol-flavored products.
In 2019, eight states - Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, and Washington - issued emergency rules to temporarily ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. However, legal challenges led to these orders being blocked in Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Utah. The state orders in Montana and Washington have expired, while Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island went on to implement permanent bans.
Photo: Adobe Stock / Анастасия КаргаполовMany manufacturers produce menthol vapes targeting young adults and teenagers.
Before the Tobacco Control Act was passed, New Jersey had already restricted the sale of flavored cigarettes, except for menthol and clove flavors. Additionally, Maine prohibits the sale of flavored non-premium cigars.
These bans are part of a larger effort to combat the vaping epidemic, which has seen an increase in vaping-related deaths and illnesses. The bans aim to reduce the appeal of flavored e-cigarettes, particularly to young people. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also recently announced that it would begin the process of banning menthol cigarettes, which have been found to be particularly harmful to the health of Black Americans.
Photo: Vaping related deaths cause concern
The dangers of menthol vapes have been brought to the forefront of public attention after the death of Amanda Lee Hall, a North Carolina woman who quit smoking for vaping, thinking it was a healthier option. She had switched to vaping and used a device constantly, even while in the hospital. In the fall of 2019, Hall started struggling to breathe and was put in a coma. When she woke, she found herself struggling to use her hands, her wife told the New York Post.
The tragic death of Hall is just one of the many cases that highlight the dangerous consequences of using menthol vapes. The use of menthol vapes has become increasingly popular among young adults and teenagers, and the statistics are alarming. According to the CDC, the number of high school students using menthol vapes has increased from 1.8 million in 2017 to 3.6 million in 2020.
The use of menthol vapes is a deadly threat to public health, particularly among young adults and teenagers. We need policymakers to take immediate action to ban the use and sale of menthol vapes and to raise awareness among young adults and teenagers about the dangers of these products.
Click below to sign the petition asking for a ban on dangerous menthol vapes in the United States and ensure a healthier future for all!
