Menthol smoking in relation to time to first cigarette and cotinine: Results from a community-based study

Smokers who have their first cigarette shortly after waking, an indicator of nicotine dependence, have substantially higher cotinine levels. There is controversy regarding the role of menthol in nicotine dependence. We hypothesized that menthol smokers have a shorter time to first cigarette (TTFC), and tested whether any statistical association actually reflects increased dependence by measuring nicotine uptake (e.g. cotinine) in the same group of smokers. A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted that included 495 black and white daily cigarette smokers. Results showed a trend between menthol smoking and a shorter TTFC (P < 0.04 in blacks). Menthol was not an independent predictor of cotinine or an effect modifier with TTFC on cotinine levels in blacks and whites. These results show that while menthol in tobacco is associated with an indicator of nicotine dependence in blacks, menthol was not associated with biological uptake of nicotine in black and white smokers.

► We conducted a community-based study of African-American and white daily smokers. ► Menthol was associated with a shorter time to first cigarette (TTFC) in blacks. ► TTFC was strongly related to cotinine levels. ► The TTFC finding did not differ between menthol and nonmenthol smokers. ► Smoking behaviors may vary by menthol, but menthol was unassociated with dependence.