Plans to lessen nicotine in cigarettes are unveiled by the White House

• US plans to reduce the quantity of nicotine in cigarettes sold to non-addictive levels.
• The initiatives could significantly lower cancer fatalities.
• The move is likely to face pushback by the tobacco industry.

It is planned to reduce the quantity of nicotine in cigarettes sold in the US to negligible or non-addictive levels.

The initiatives, which could significantly lower cancer fatalities and are a goal of President Joe Biden’s administration, were revealed by the White House on Tuesday.

But the move is likely to face pushback by the tobacco industry.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking continues to be the nation’s greatest cause of mortality, accounting for 480,000 deaths annually (CDC).

In tobacco products, nicotine is a highly addictive “feel good” substance.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced plans for a proposed product standard that would “finish” several other tobacco products and set a maximum nicotine content for cigarettes.

According to FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert M. Califf, “making cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products minimally addictive or non-addictive will help save lives.”

Dr. Calif said that reducing nicotine levels might prevent young individuals from developing a cigarette addiction and aid smokers in quitting.

In the United States, 30.8 million persons were reportedly smokers in 2020. The US Surgeon General estimates that 87 percent of adult smokers begin by the time they turn 18.

The move comes after the Biden administration in February announced goals of reducing the cancer death rate by at least 50 percent over the next 25 years, as part of his Cancer Moonshot programme.

But experts say it may take at least a year for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates cigarettes, to release a proposed rule which could then be delayed by opposition, according to the Washington Post.

It said the tobacco industry, which is anticipated to be highly opposed to such a substantial shift in products, might challenge a final regulation in court.

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