Absence of Sensory Cooling Activity and Cooling Agents from California’s New “Non-Menthol” Cigarettes Marketed in 2025
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Background
Since late 2022, the sale of most flavoured tobacco products has been prohibited in California, including menthol cigarettes. Tobacco companies responded by introducing “non-menthol” cigarettes in which menthol was replaced with WS-3, an odorless synthetic cooling agent to elicit cooling sensations similar to menthol. Legislation enacted in 2024 banned the addition of cooling characterizing flavours in tobacco products in California. However, the industry continues to market “non-menthol” cigarettes in the state, with very similar package designs. It is unknown whether these cigarettes contain a cooling agent.
Methods
Available Newport-branded “non-menthol” cigarettes were purchased in California in 2025, extracted and tested for sensory cooling activity by Ca 2+ microfluorimetry of HEK293T cells expressing the human TRPM8 cold/menthol receptor. Chemical analysis was performed by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GCMS). “Non-menthol” and menthol cigarettes marketed in 2023-24 served as controls.
Results
Extracts from Newport-branded “non-menthol” cigarettes marketed in California in 2025 did not elicit sensory cooling activity. Chemical analysis confirmed the absence of menthol and any of the major commercial synthetic cooling agents.
Conclusions
The tobacco industry removed sensory cooling agents from “non-menthol” cigarettes marketed in California. However, this did not result in the market withdrawal of “non-menthol” cigarettes in the state. “Non-menthol” cigarettes in California continue to be marketed with package designs resembling those of former menthol cigarettes, signaling the potential presence of a characterising flavour.
