The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a plan to make cigarettes less addictive by capping their nicotine content. The proposal, which aims to reduce the number of smokers and prevent young people from taking up the habit, faces uncertainty due to its timing and potential industry opposition.
Under the proposed rule, nicotine levels in cigarettes would be capped at levels that “could no longer create and sustain addiction among people who smoke.” Companies would have two years to reformulate their products after a final regulation is published. The FDA expects this move could save millions of lives and reduce severe illness and disability caused by smoking.
Antismoking advocates widely support the idea, but its fate rests with President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. The agency’s efforts on tobacco measures have been hindered by industry lawsuits in the past. If implemented, low-nicotine cigarettes would not be available for electronic cigarettes or lower-risk products.
The proposal aligns with sweeping powers given to the FDA by Congress in 2009 to regulate the tobacco industry. However, the agency has struggled with industry pushback, which may delay its implementation. Industry experts predict a court challenge from companies like Reynolds American and Altria, potentially delaying the rollout.
While low-nicotine cigarettes are not new, previous attempts have been met with limited success. The FDA has sponsored studies showing that smokers switching to these products smoke less and are more likely to quit.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/cigarettes-nicotine-lower-fda-addiction-smokers-d2a1369919baa69b38125f85aff0f1db