Menthol cigarettes are to be banned in the UK from Wednesday in an attempt to stop kids from getting into the habit of smoking.
Because of an EU directive passed through in 2016, all flavoured rolling tobacco is going to be banned too.
The thinking behind it suggests that young people take to menthol fags more quickly because they relax the airways of smokers and lower the harshness of the smoke, making them easier for younger folks to get into.
So, according to bodies such as Action on Smoking and Health (ASH - get it?) getting rid of the minty-flavoured cigarettes might cut down on the chances that youngsters will pick up the packet in the first place.
Menthol cigarettes are surprisingly popular, too. A survey in 2018 found that one out of every eight smokers in the UK preferred menthol fags to normal ones.
As well as menthols and flavoured rolling tobacco, this ban is going to put an end to the click dual cigarettes such as Sterling Dual, too.
In case you're not aware, they're cigarettes that can be changed from normal to menthol.
Anyway, this is the result of legislation that was passed through by the EU in 2014 as part of new EU Tobacco Product Directive laws.
The laws started to apply in EU countries on May 20 2016, and flavoured cigarettes were restricted to packs of 20, but they'll be totally banned as of Wednesday.
Back in 2017, smaller packs of rolling tobacco and 10 packs of fags were also outlawed.
So, what does the law actually say?
Well, according to ASH chief executive Deborah Arnott, the new laws mean: "No person may produce or supply cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco with:
"(a) a filter, paper, package, capsule or other component containing flavourings;
"(b) a filter, paper or capsule containing tobacco or nicotine; or
"(c) a technical feature allowing the consumer to modify the smell, taste, or smoke intensity of the product."
According to Cancer Research UK, two thirds of smokers get into the habit before they're 18. It's a dangerous habit, and one that eventually kills two out of every three long-term smokers.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, ASH spokesperson Amanda Sandford said: "There is evidence that menthol cigarettes relax the airways and the flavour masks the harshness of the smoke, therefore younger people find it easier to smoke.
"However, it is an absolute myth that menthol cigarettes are better for you.
"All cigarettes are harmful and menthol cigarettes are just as dangerous as normal cigarettes."
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Even though this is a piece of EU legislation, it's likely that this won't be affected by Brexit.
Arnott explained: "The regulations will be reviewed this year but given that the UK goes further than the EU requires on tobacco regulations e.g. we ban all advertising, and point of sale displays, and require plain packaging, it is unlikely that leaving the EU will lead to a weakening of our tobacco regulations."
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