Researchers find genetic vulnerability to menthol cigarette use

(NIH/National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders) A genetic variant found only in people of African descent significantly increases a smoker's preference for cigarettes containing menthol, a flavor additive. The variant of the MRGPRX4 gene is five to eight times more frequent among smokers who use menthol cigarettes than other smokers. The multi-ethnic study is the first to look across all genes to identify genetic vulnerability to menthol cigarettes.

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-02/niod-rfg021519.php

Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - February 15, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news