Trends in Prevalence and Sociodemographic and Geographic Patterns of Current Menthol Cigarette Use Among U.S. Adults, 2005-2015

Despite overall reductions in U.S. smoking prevalence, prior evidence suggests similar reductions may not have occurred for menthol cigarette users. This study examines nationally representative current menthol and non-menthol cigarette use prevalence and trends for adults (18+) overall and by sociodemographic and geographic characteristics using the 2005 (n = 31,132), 2010 (n = 26,967), and 2015 (n = 33,541) National Health Interview Survey. Between 2005 and 2015, non-menthol cigarette use decreased overall (14.7% to 9.6%, p < 0.001) and within all sociodemographic and geographic subgroups analyzed (i.e., by sex, age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, education, family income, and geographic region), except non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaskan Natives (NH AI/AN) and non-Hispanic Others. Menthol cigarette use significantly decreased overall (5.3% to 4.4%, p < 0.001), and among females (5.6% to 4.6%); participants aged 18-24 (7.1% to 4.3%) and 35-54 (6.2% to 4.9%); non-Hispanic Whites (4.1% to 3.6%) and non-Hispanic Blacks (14.8% to 11.9%); participants with high school degrees/GEDs (7.0% to 5.9%); participants with a family income of $75,000 or higher (3.4% to 2.3%); and participants residing in the Northeast (6.0% to 4.3%). Menthol cigarette use remained stable or did not significantly decrease among males; adults aged 25-34 and 55 years and older; NH AI/ANs, NH Others, and Hispanics; participants with less than high school education, some college, or a college degree; participants with a family income below $75,000; and participants residing in the North Central/Midwest, South, and West. Given that menthol cigarette use did not significantly change or decrease for multiple subgroups, further restriction on menthol manufacturing may help reduce tobacco use disparities.