(WDNews) — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing new regulations to drastically reduce the addictive nicotine levels in cigarettes, aiming to help millions of Americans quit smoking and prevent youth from starting.
The proposal targets the nearly 12% of Americans who smoke traditional cigarettes and encourages them to switch to less harmful alternatives like e-cigarettes or nicotine lozenges. The FDA emphasized that the rule is not a ban on cigarettes but a measure to make them less addictive and less satisfying.
Research suggests reducing nicotine levels could lead to fewer people starting to smoke and help many of the nation’s 30 million smokers quit or switch to safer options. The FDA estimates that within the first few years, about half of smokers could make the switch.
If finalized, cigarette manufacturers would be required to cut nicotine levels from an average of 17.2 milligrams per gram to just 0.7 milligrams per gram. The FDA acknowledged some high-nicotine cigarettes might be smuggled illegally but believes the public health benefits outweigh potential risks.
The proposed rule builds on efforts first considered during the Trump administration, with FDA officials calling it a significant step forward for public health. Currently, about 6% of U.S. adults use e-cigarettes, which are less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
The regulation will now go through a review process before any final decision is made. If approved, the change could reshape the landscape of tobacco use in the U.S.
