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People who smoke menthol cigarettes will not be able to buy them in smaller packets from May this year.

It's part of a process that will eventually result in menthol cigarettes being banned entirely.

Under new tobacco laws, menthol flavoured cigarettes are being phased out ahead of a complete ban on May 20, 2020.

The ban will include both roll-your-own tobacco and cigarettes.

By May 21 this year, smokers will no longer be able to buy a packet of 10 menthol cigarettes.

A menthol cigarette is flavored with compound menthol, a substance which triggers the cold-sensitive nerves in the skin without actually providing a drop in temperature.

The phase out began last May when cigarette packaging was standardised and according to the charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) it is taking place to deter younger people from smoking.

Amanda Sandford of ASH told the Liverpool Echo : "Cigarettes are already expensive and the price increase of cigarettes is a key factor in making people quit smoking.

"So by removing the packet of ten 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.

"Paying £3 or £4 for a packet of ten cigarettes at the moment might not seem so much to people and still leave them with change in their pockets.

"But when you have to spend £6/£7 even £9 people may think 'do I really need this packet?'

Another change which will be coming into place in May, will be hand-rolled tobacco which will only be sold in a minimum of 30 gram packets.

Amanda added: "This is again to deter people as they will have to spend more.

"At the moment people are able to buy it in packets of 10g, 20g and so on."