It will help combat addiction.
A groundbreaking proposal by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeks to reduce the nicotine content in cigarettes and other tobacco products, aiming to make them less addictive. This initiative could help millions of Americans quit smoking and prevent future addiction, significantly improving public health.
The FDA’s proposed rule, outlined in a 334-page document, suggests capping nicotine levels in cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco to a threshold low enough to prevent addiction. If the rule is finalized, FDA officials believe it could save millions of lives over the coming decades by curbing the harmful effects of smoking.
The proposed nicotine cap would limit levels to 0.7 milligrams per gram of tobacco, a sharp reduction from current levels, which can range from 6 to 28 milligrams per gram. However, the rule would not apply to e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches. Research indicates that lowering nicotine levels can make it more difficult for smokers to maintain their addiction and easier for them to quit.
The FDA predicts that within a year of implementing the proposal, nearly 13 million people could stop smoking, and by 2100, about 48 million young people who would otherwise have started smoking may never do so. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., responsible for nearly 480,000 deaths annually, contributing to diseases like heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses.
Despite the potential public health benefits, tobacco companies have voiced strong opposition to the proposal, arguing that it could foster illegal markets for nicotine products. Altria, which sells brands like Marlboro cigarettes and NJOY e-cigarettes, criticized the plan, calling it “fundamentally flawed.” While the FDA has the authority to regulate nicotine, the rule’s implementation may face legal challenges and delays, and manufacturers would have two years to comply once the rule is finalized. This proposal is part of the FDA’s broader efforts to reduce tobacco-related illnesses, including revising food labeling definitions and endorsing less harmful alternatives like certain e-cigarette brands.
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