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FDA Plans to Make Cigarettes Non-Addictive

The FDA has taken a major step toward reducing the harm tobacco causes to public health by issuing a proposed rule that would make tobacco products in the United States minimally or non-addictive. 

The proposed rule does not ban cigarettes and other tobacco products but seeks to reduce nicotine levels massively. The average nicotine content in a cigarette in the United States is around 12-14mg. The FDA proposes reducing the permitted amount to no more than 0.7mg, a reduction of around 95%. Even assuming that all of the nicotine in cigarette tobacco is absorbed (it isn’t), that would significantly reduce their addictiveness. 

“Today, we’re taking a critical step in the rulemaking process by providing the public with a proposal they can review and engage on. This proposal allows for the start of an important conversation about how we meaningfully tackle one of the deadliest consumer products in history and profoundly change the landscape of tobacco product use in the United States.” – Brian King, Ph.D., M.P.H, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products.

If finalized, the rule would only apply to combustible tobacco. That means it will affect cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, pipe tobacco, most cigars, and cigarillos. It will not apply to e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, heated tobacco products, smokeless tobacco, hookah, or some premium cigars. 

Smoking is currently the number one cause of preventable death in the United States, killing nearly half a million people annually. It is estimated that cigarette smoking alone costs the country over $600 billion each year in healthcare and lost productivity. The rule proposal suggests that it could prevent 48 million American children from taking up smoking by the year 2100, and prompt around 13 million current smokers to quit within a year of the rule coming into force. 

“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. 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. I hope we can all agree that significantly reducing the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S. is an admirable goal we should all work toward.” Robert M. Califf, M.D, FDA Commissioner.

The proposed rule is a major step in the lawmaking process, but it is still far from becoming a new federal law. The agency intends to seek input on the proposal, including through public comment and the FDA’s Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee.

And while the FDA first signaled its intent to propose the rule during his first administration, and has stated that “multiple administrations have acknowledged the immense opportunity that a proposal of this kind offers to address the burden of tobacco-related disease”, President-elect Trump could force amendments or even derail the proposal completely during the next four years. 

Starting today, January 16, 2025, and running until September 15, 2025, the FDA is inviting the public to comment on the proposal. In addition to general comments, the agency is asking for public input on the products covered by the proposal, the nicotine limit, the likelihood that companies will be able to comply, and the potential for illicit trade and impact on public health resulting from the proposed rule. You can find information on how to comment here

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Russ Ware Author Picture 2

Russ Ware

Russ is a UK-based Staff Writer for Versed Vaper who has been in journalism for more than two decades, having previously written for tech publications like Lifewire. He tried vaping in 2015 but the setup that he was using wasn’t quite right and so he didn’t enjoy it at first. However, after going back and forth between vaping and smoking for a couple of years, he started experimenting with different coils, power levels, and mixing his own vape juice. The rest is history and Russ has been a devoted vaper ever since. Russ is a passionate writer and he produces reviews, news, and well-researched informational articles for our site. When Russ is not testing or writing about vapes, he likes to travel, read true crime, and eat anything with lots of chilies.

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