Methods: Literature review plus presentation of new data showing the relationship between menthol cigarette smoking and quit rates among different subgroups within a cohort of patients attending a specialist clinic for tobacco dependence treatment (n=1650).

Results: Despite smoking fewer cigarettes per day, African Americans, Latinos and unemployed whites who smoke menthol cigarettes are more addicted than non-menthol smokers within the same ethnic/racial groups. These groups also inhale more nicotine per cigarette.

Conclusions: The cooling effects of menthol enable smokers on reduced cigarette consumption to inhale more smoke per cigarette, become more addicted and suffer more health consequences.