Gender and Menthol Cigarette Use in the USA: A Systematic Review of the Recent Literature (2011–May 2017)

Abstract

Purpose of Review: The purposes of this review are as follows: firstly, to summarize current research on gender differences in mentholated cigarette use and related outcomes and, secondarily, to summarize literature on gender differences in mentholated cigarette use and related outcomes among Black smokers. Recent Findings: Women smokers are more likely to use menthol cigarettes than men. Other than prevalence, there is a paucity of research on gender differences in menthol-related outcomes (e.g., cessation, disease). Among both women and men, menthol preference is stable during adolescence and young adulthood. A substantial portion of both women and men who smoke menthol report an expectation of quitting should menthol be banned. We did not identify any studies of gender differences in mentholated cigarette use among Black smokers. Summary: Despite public health relevance, there is little current research on gender differences in mentholated cigarette use, other than studies of prevalence, and very little research on gender differences among Black smokers, including prevalence.