FDA Moves to Slash Nicotine in Cigarettes
Proposal Aims to Break Cycle of Addiction
Nicotine levels in cigarettes sold in the U.S. would have to be drastically lowered under a proposal released Wednesday by the Food and Drug Administration.
Reducing Nicotine Levels
If finalized, the change would mean that cigarettes would lose their ability to hook most people into addiction.
“By reducing the nicotine level of cigarettes and certain other combusted tobacco products to a level low enough to no longer create or sustain addiction, the cycle of exposure to these toxic chemicals can be broken,” Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, said during a briefing with reporters.
Impact on Smoking Rates
Smoking kills more than 480,000 Americans each year. Levels of nicotine in cigarettes vary widely depending on the brand but usually average 13 milligrams a cigarette. The FDA’s plan would limit nicotine in nearly all combustible tobacco products — a category that includes cigarettes, most cigars and pipe tobacco — to 0.07 milligrams. That’s about a 95% reduction.
Industry Reaction
Although the proposal was released at the 11th hour by the outgoing Biden administration, officials during President-elect Donald Trump’s first term raised the possibility of a federal regulatory plan for nicotine. So it’s possible that the change could move forward in the next four years.
“If there’s a goal to make America healthy again, I can’t imagine anything more important to get done than this,” Dr. Robert Califf, the FDA commissioner, said on the briefing call. Califf, a Biden appointee, will step down when Trump takes office.
Timeline and Scope
If the rule is finalized, companies would have two years to make necessary changes.
The FDA’s proposal does not include e-cigarettes, other vape products, hookahs, smokeless tobacco products or nicotine replacement pouches.
Public Health Impact
“While my preference would be that use of all of these products goes down, I do think that there is value in reducing harm by helping people avoid becoming addicted to cigarettes,” said Dr. Richard Besser, former acting CDC director and current president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
When tobacco is burned, it releases toxins known to cause cancer, heart disease and other chronic illnesses. Nicotine is the substance in cigarettes that make them so addictive.
Next Steps
The public will have a chance to weigh in on the FDA proposal until mid-September.
Conclusion
The FDA’s proposal to slash nicotine levels in cigarettes has the potential to significantly reduce the number of people who become addicted to smoking. If finalized, the change could prevent 48 million kids and young adults from becoming addicted and nearly 13 million people would stop smoking within a year.
FAQs
Q: What is the current level of nicotine in cigarettes?
A: The current level of nicotine in cigarettes varies widely depending on the brand, but usually averages 13 milligrams per cigarette.
Q: What is the proposed level of nicotine in cigarettes?
A: The FDA proposes limiting nicotine in nearly all combustible tobacco products to 0.07 milligrams, a 95% reduction.
Q: When would companies have to make necessary changes?
A: If the rule is finalized, companies would have two years to make necessary changes.
Q: Does the proposal include e-cigarettes and other vape products?
A: No, the FDA’s proposal does not include e-cigarettes, other vape products, hookahs, smokeless tobacco products or nicotine replacement pouches.
