The sale of menthol cigarettes is banned
On May 20, 2020, the sale of menthol cigarettes, including cigarettes with menthol capsules and RYO, was banned. The ban applies in Denmark and the rest of the EU, including Duty Free located in the EU region. The ban also applies in the UK.
Therefore, menthol cigarettes (with or without capsules) and RYO (roll-your-own tobacco) are removed from the range of all tobacco companies and will no longer be on the shelves of kiosks and stores that sell cigarettes. The ban applies to all tobacco companies and all brands.
Go to homepageWhen were menthol cigarettes banned?
Until 11.59 p.m. on May 19, 2020, you could still buy menthol cigarettes including cigarettes with capsules and RYO (roll-your-own tobacco). From midnight on May 20, 2020, all sales of these products was prohibited. If you are a smoker and still have a pack of menthol cigarettes (with or without capsules) or RYO (roll-your-own tobacco), it is still legal to smoke them after May 20, 2020.
Which menthol products are banned?
The menthol ban only applies to cigarettes (with or without click filter) and RYO tobacco with a characteristic flavor, including menthol taste. The ban applies to all brands of menthol cigarettes and also includes other flavors such as vanilla and artificial aroma.
This means that smokeless tobacco (including heated tobacco), e-cigarettes and menthol-flavored chewing tobacco are not covered by the EU ban. Cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco without characteristic flavor (e.g. regular cigarettes without menthol) are not covered by the ban.
Go to homepageThe ban on menthol cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco came into effect on May 20, 2020.
Yes, cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco without taste are not covered by the menthol ban and you can still buy other tobacco and nicotine products with menthol flavor.
Yes, all menthol cigarettes purchased before the menthol ban can be legally smoked after the ban went into effect. But you will no longer be able to buy new menthol cigarettes in stores throughout the EU region.
The main intention of the menthol ban is to make cigarettes less appealing to smokers – especially young people.
The menthol ban applies to all EU member states. Other countries outside the EU are not covered by the menthol ban but may prohibit menthol cigarettes through national legislation.
The menthol ban was adopted by the European Parliament in 2013. The directive has been in effect since 20 May, 2016, but the ban on menthol cigarettes does not apply until 20 May, 2020.