New CDC Study Shows More People Who Smoke Menthol Cigarettes Want to Quit, But Too Many Aren’t Getting Help

Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office of Smoking and Health released an article titled “Adult Smoking Cessation—United States, 2022” in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. In response to the findings, American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer released the following statement:  

“This article uses data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey and revealed critical information smoking cession in the U.S. This is important because tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in our country. This article underscores the urgent need to finalize the lifesaving rules to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, improve access to quit smoking resources and ensure that quit smoking resources are culturally appropriate.

“For the first time, this survey specifically asked respondents if they smoked menthol cigarettes. This question reveals that people who smoke menthol cigarettes are more likely to want to quit – 72.2% of people who smoke menthols said they want to quit compared to 65.4% of people who smoke non-menthol cigarettes. Unfortunately, 48.2% of people who smoke menthol cigarettes reported that they have not received advice from their healthcare providers about quitting smoking and only 35.2% used proven methods to help them quit smoking. This article reveals serious health equity challenges that need to be overcome to help everyone who smokes to quit for good.

“Research shows that menthol cigarettes make it easier to start smoking and harder to quit. Currently, more than 15 million people smoke menthol cigarettes. The use of menthol is highest among Black and Brown communities and the lesbian, gay and bisexual population. 

“The new CDC report provides further support that President Biden must finalize the lifesaving rules to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars in the U.S. before he leaves office. In addition, the U.S. healthcare system must improve efforts to help people quit smoking by ensuring healthcare providers speak to their patients about quitting, offer proven quit smoking help and make sure all quit smoking materials are culturally appropriate. These changes in the healthcare system are especially needed for people who smoke menthol cigarettes.

“The American Lung Association will use this valuable data to continue to advocate for proven tobacco control policies and to help people quit smoking for good through our proven methods, including our Freedom From Smoking program.”