# Support for a ban on characterizing flavours in cigarettes in the UK: a longitudinal online survey

## TL;DR

This study shows that support for banning flavored cigarettes in the UK increased after the ban was implemented in 2020.

## Contribution

The study is the first to show changing public support for flavored cigarette bans after implementation.

## Key findings

- Support for the ban increased from 18.1% in 2019 to 35.0% in 2022.
- Ex-smokers showed the largest increase in support, from 24.4% to 50.8%.
- All groups, including flavor and non-flavor smokers, showed increased support post-ban.

## Abstract

Most European countries have banned flavoured cigarettes. No study has explored whether support for such a ban changes post-implementation. In the UK, a menthol cigarette ban came into force in May 2020. A longitudinal survey in the UK with adult smokers and ex-smokers explored support for the ban in 2019 (N = 3175) and 2022 (N = 3047). Support increased from 2019 (pre-ban) to 2022 (post-ban) for all participants (18.1% to 35.0%), with increased support evident for flavour cigarette smokers (20.7% to 34.5%), non-flavour cigarette smokers (13.5% to 18.1%), and ex-smokers (24.4% to 50.8%). Increased support for tobacco-related policies helps regulators defend policy decisions.