Cigarette Mentholation Increases Smokers' Exhaled Carbon Monoxide Levels

Male smokers (N = 12) participated in 3 controlled-dose smoking sessions spaced 1 week apart. In each session, Ss inhaled 1, 200 cc of cigarette smoke. Menthol dosage varied across sessions, such that Ss smoked experimental cigarettes that had been injected with 0 mg, 4 mg, or 8 mg of menthol. Exhaled carbon monoxide levels increased concomitantly with menthol dosage. There were no differences in smoking topography across the 3 conditions. The ability of menthol to increase the toxicity of cigarette smoke by raising carbon monoxide levels is discussed. Results suggest that menthol cigarette preference may account for some of the racial differences in smoking behavior and smoking-related outcomes found in past literature.