FDA Proposes Major Nicotine Cut In Cigarettes

The Biden administration's FDA has proposed a significant reduction in nicotine levels in cigarettes, aiming to decrease their addictiveness and promote public health. The proposed rule would limit nicotine to 0.7 milligrams per gram of tobacco, a substantial drop from the current average of 17.2 milligrams, with the goal of encouraging smokers to quit or switch to less harmful alternatives. While the proposal is seen as a potential major public health advancement, it may face challenges under the incoming Trump administration, which has not yet commented on the plan. Critics warn that reducing nicotine levels could inadvertently lead to a black market for high-nicotine cigarettes, benefiting criminal organizations. The FDA plans to accept public comments for nine months before any further action, and tobacco companies are expected to challenge the regulation in court. Despite these hurdles, the FDA believes the measure could help save millions of lives by significantly cutting smoking-related illnesses and deaths.