Menthol cigarettes are one of the products that will be banned from UK shops as new smoking laws come into effect this year.

Smokers will be unable to purchase menthol-flavoured cigarettes, rolling tobacco or skinny cigarettes once the ban comes into force in Spring.

The ban, which stems from new EU Tobacco Product Directive laws, will come into force on May 20 this year.

The move is part of an attempt to stop young people smoking, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) explained what comes under the ban.

A spokesperson said: "No person may produce or supply a cigarette 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."

(Image: Getty Images North America)

The ban includes 'click' cigarettes which can change the flavour from normal to menthol with a button inside the filter.

Philip Morris, the manufacturer of cigarette brands such as Marlboro, tried to appeal against the law change to the European Court of Justice but it was unsuccessful.

As part of a long term plan to phase out flavoured cigarettes by May 2020, the law was changed so that menthol cigarettes could only be sold in packs of 20.

ASH spokesperson Amanda Sandford said such policies would make smoking less appealing.

"Cigarettes are already expensive," she said. "And the price increase of cigarettes is a key factor in making people quit smoking.

"By removing the packet of 10 cigarettes this means people will have to find that extra money for a packet.

"It will hit poorer and younger smokers harder who are more likely to buy smaller packs."

All 10-packs of cigarettes and small packets of rolling tobacco were banned in the UK by May 2017.

She also explained how menthol cigarettes can disguise the harsh taste of smoke, making them easier to smoke, but said they were just as harmful as normal cigarettes.

She said: "It is naturally hard to inhale smoke and for many the first time they smoke it is repugnant, but people persevere with it and that's when they become addicted.

"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."