Differences in Health Risk Profiles for Menthol and Non Menthol Smokers: Findings from the National Health Interview Survey

Aims Limited information exists about the overall health of menthol smokers compared to their non menthol smoking counterparts. We looked at socio-demographics, health characteristics, and health seeking behaviors variables in an attempt to create a health profile for menthol smokers.

Methods Data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey was utilized for former and current smokers respectively. We looked at the relationship of socio-demographics, health characteristics, and health seeking behaviors with menthol versus non-menthol smoking. The interviewed adult sample consists of 31,428 adults, 18 years of age or older.

Findings For current smokers the mean number of cigarettes smoked per day is significantly lower for menthol smokers when compared to non menthol smokers (OR=0.98; 95% CI=0.98, 0.99). Former menthol smokers had higher BMI's (OR=1.01; 95%CI 1.00, 1.02), and former smokers who visited the emergency room due to asthma were significantly more likely to be menthol smokers (OR=2.32; 95% CI=1.05, 5.13). Significant regional differences for menthol smokers also existed.

Conclusions There may be differences in the health risk profile for menthol smokers. Findings suggest that the discussion of harm of menthol versus non-menthol smoking should be more inclusive of differences between the menthol and non-menthol smoker after they stop smoking.