FDA Seeks to Lower Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes to Curb Addiction

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has submitted a proposal to make cigarettes less addictive by lowering their nicotine content.

Antismoking advocates have chased this goal for years. The proposal has been submitted during the final days of President Joe Biden’s administration, thus reducing the likelihood of it being passed.

President Trump and those who are tipped to work in health during his administration have not yet commented on the proposal. Despite this, however, it is worth mentioning that a similar proposal submitted by FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb was dismissed during Trump’s first administration.

It remains to be seen whether Robert F. Kennedy will support the FDA prosal to lower nicotine in cigarettes

Robert F. Kennedy is Donald Trump’s health secretary nominee, meaning he will handle these kinds of proposals during the incoming administration, should he be confirmed. However, he so far hasn’t said how tobacco regulation and policy fit into his plans for the federal government’s fight against chronic diseases.

Tobacco corporations, such as Reynolds American, may challenge the FDA proposal in court if approved.

Today, FDA issued a proposed rule that, if finalized, would make cigarettes and certain other combusted tobacco products minimally or nonaddictive by limiting the level of nicotine in those products. https://t.co/lxzXUAfZPt pic.twitter.com/paECuxWIAx

— FDA Tobacco (@FDATobacco) January 15, 2025

The FDA has studied the issue of cigarette nicotine for a long time. The agency has found that lowering nicotine would help close to 13 million smokers quit cigarettes within one year. Agency projections also show that young people would never even start smoking cigarettes because the low nicotine dosage would make them nonaddictive.

This proposal could essentially save lives. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement, “This action, if finalized, could save many lives and dramatically reduce the burden of severe illness and disability, while also saving huge amounts of money.”

The FDA proposal would cap tobacco products at a level where they wouldn’t be addictive anymore

Under the new proposal, tobacco companies would have to reformulate their cigarettes to these new regulations. The FDA‘s proposal was posted on the agency’s website on Wednesday, January 15. Public comments will last for nine months before going further with the proposal.

Smoking is the main factor behind more than 480,000 deaths in the United States each year. It is also the leading factor behind a variety of cancers, heart disease, and strokes.

Today’s proposal envisions a future where it would be less likely for young people to use cigarettes and more individuals who currently smoke could quit or switch to less harmful products. https://t.co/HkcdP6hiym

— Dr. Robert M. Califf (@DrCaliff_FDA) January 15, 2025

The idea of lowering nicotine has its roots in 2009 when the US Congress granted the FDA the power to regulate tobacco. Tobacco corporations have hindered the FDA’s efforts to increase tobacco regulations through the years. The changes in nicotine levels proposed by the new rule would apply to cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco. But not e-cigarettes as the FDA considers them lower risk.