What Is the Role of Flavors in Nicotine Products?

Flavors are controversial.

Some policymakers and public health advocates argue that flavored products should be banned because they may increase appeal to youth.

At the same time, many adults who have moved away from cigarettes say flavors help them tolerate noncombustible nicotine products. For some, removing flavors could increase the risk of returning to smoking.

Understanding this trade-off is essential. Policies that address youth appeal must also consider how flavor availability affects adults who are trying to reduce their health risks.

Menthol can act as a mild anesthetic. When used with cigarettes, it can suppress coughing and allows smokers to tolerate more smoke. There have been longstanding efforts to remove menthol from all tobacco products.

The FDA has authorized some nicotine products containing menthol for sale such as Zyn and Juul.

In May of 2026, the FDA approved flavored vape products with age access restriction. The technology requires the user to verify their age and identity with a government-issued ID and pair the device with a smartphone via Bluetooth. Four Glas electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are now authorized for sale; Classic Menthol, Fresh Menthol, Gold, and Sapphire.