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Are Menthol Cigarettes Banned in the UK?

If you’ve been wondering whether menthol cigarettes are banned in the UK, the answer is yes—they are. As of 20 May 2020, menthol cigarettes were officially banned under new tobacco regulations that apply across the UK and the rest of the EU.

This ban was part of the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), which was adopted into UK law and remains in place post-Brexit. The goal is to reduce smoking rates, especially among young people, by removing flavoured products that make smoking feel smoother or more appealing.

What Exactly Is Banned?

The ban includes:

  • Menthol cigarettes (including crush-ball or capsule types)

  • Cigarettes with menthol filters or flavour-changing features

  • Rolling tobacco with menthol or other flavours

  • Cigarette papers or filters sold with flavour additives

These products can no longer be sold, manufactured, or imported for sale in the UK.

Why Were Menthol Cigarettes Banned?

Menthol cigarettes don’t make smoking safer—but they do mask the harshness of tobacco smoke, which can make it easier to start smoking and harder to quit. Studies show menthol can increase nicotine dependence, particularly in younger and first-time smokers.

The UK government introduced the ban as part of a broader public health effort to discourage smoking, reduce related illnesses, and prevent future generations from taking up the habit.

Is It Still Legal to Possess Menthol Cigarettes?

Yes. The ban applies to sale, supply and distribution, not personal use. If you bought menthol cigarettes before the ban, you’re not breaking the law by smoking them. However, shops and suppliers are not allowed to sell them.

Buying them from abroad or through informal channels may also put you at risk of breaching import or trading laws, especially if they’re counterfeit or unregulated.

What About Menthol Vapes and Alternatives?

Menthol-flavoured e-cigarettes and vape liquids are still legal in the UK. The ban only applies to tobacco products, not nicotine-free or tobacco-free products.

You can still legally buy:

  • Menthol vape liquids

  • Nicotine pouches with menthol flavouring

  • Heat-not-burn devices (as long as they don’t use menthol tobacco sticks)

  • Herbal cigarettes that do not contain tobacco (though availability is limited)

However, the use of flavoured vapes is under review, and tighter restrictions may be introduced in future.

Are Other Flavoured Cigarettes Banned Too?

Yes. The 2020 ban also includes all characterising flavours, not just menthol. That means cigarettes and rolling tobacco cannot be sold with flavours such as vanilla, fruit, chocolate, or mint. The idea is to remove any non-tobacco flavour that might make smoking more appealing.

Final Word

Menthol cigarettes are banned in the UK as part of a wider effort to reduce smoking, particularly among younger people. While personal use isn’t illegal, buying or selling menthol-flavoured tobacco products is. Alternatives like menthol vapes remain legal for now, but regulations in this area are evolving.

If you’re affected by the ban and considering quitting smoking, there’s support available through the NHS Stop Smoking Service, as well as a range of legal nicotine alternatives.