Research involving over 1,300 Dutch smokers has shown that the EU-wide ban on menthol cigarettes did lead to more menthol users kicking the habit.

Menthol cigarettes were banned in the EU in May 2020. The research, published on Tuesday in scientific journal Tobacco Control, shows that menthol smokers were substantially more likely to quit smoking than those who used ordinary tobacco.

In total, 26% of the menthol smokers gave up, compared with 14% of people who used non-flavoured cigarettes.

Menthol smokers were also more likely to try to give up with two thirds attempting to quit the habit, compared with half of ordinary smokers.

Some 20% of the Dutch population smoke regularly but the government set a target in 2018 of ensuring just 5% do so by 2040.