FDA Proposes Lowering Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes to Fight Addiction

The FDA aims to cap nicotine in cigarettes, potentially helping millions quit smoking and preventing youth addiction.

FDA Proposes Lowering Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes to Fight Addiction
FDA Proposes Lowering Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes to Fight Addiction

Washington: The FDA has a new plan to cap nicotine in cigarettes. They believe this could help around 13 million smokers quit within a year. Plus, it might stop about 48 million young people from ever starting.

This proposal comes as President Biden’s term is ending, making it uncertain if it will actually happen. The incoming administration, led by Donald Trump, hasn’t said much about it yet. There’s a chance tobacco companies will fight back in court, which could delay things even more.

Antismoking advocates are really pushing for this change. They think it’s crucial for reducing chronic diseases linked to smoking. Smoking leads to over 480,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, and the health issues often take years to develop.

The FDA has been studying nicotine regulation since Congress gave them the power to do so in 2009. They can set limits on nicotine but can’t remove it completely. This would be a first for global efforts to cut down smoking-related deaths.

Currently, there are no limits on nicotine in the U.S. The FDA has been working on this proposal since 2022 and has received a lot of feedback from various groups.

Interestingly, low-nicotine cigarettes aren’t a new idea. Companies tried this back in the 80s and 90s, but it didn’t catch on. However, studies show that when smokers switch to very low nicotine cigarettes, they tend to smoke less and are more likely to quit.

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