MENTHOL cigarettes are set to be banned from tomorrow as new anti-smoking laws come into force across the UK.

Flavoured cigarettes will be made illegal in all stores, along with skinny cigarettes and flavoured rolling tobacco.

It comes as figures show there are 1.3million menthol smokers across the country - 330,000 of whom are unaware of the impending ban.

The latest crackdown is part of a wider ban to deter young people from taking up smoking by outlawing cigarettes with a "characterising flavour" other than tobacco.

It's been initiated under EU Tobacco Product Directive laws, amid concerns that menthol cigarettes are popular with youngsters who mistakenly think they are less harmful.

Experts say it is a myth that menthol are "lighter on the throat".

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Research for tobacco firm Philip Morris found a third of those hit by the ban will switch to menthol-flavoured vapes, which are still available.

Around 220,000 smokers say they will give up.

The move is considered the biggest shake up to smoking since the introduction of e-cigarettes.

Philip Morris’s Peter Nixon said: "Quitting is best but if that’s not possible, then menthol heating tobacco is better than continuing to smoke."

The plan to phase out flavoured cigarettes completely follows a ban on packs of 10 in May 2017.

Fruity-flavoured cigarettes and flavours including vanilla, spices and sweets were also banned by the law.

The charity ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) said the latest changes will stop the production and sale of any filters, paper, packaging, capsules or other component containing flavouring in cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco.

It also extends to "technical features" which would allow consumers to modify the 'smell, taste, or smoke intensity' of the product.

Amanda Sandford, of ASH, said increasing the price of cigarettes and stopping the sale of smaller packets have made smoking less appealing.

She added that banning menthol cigarettes could deter more younger people from smoking, saying: "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."