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FDA Advances 11th Hour Rule to Lower Cigarette Nicotine; Critics Warn of 'Gift to Cartels'

Jan 7, 2025, 09:07 PM

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advancing an "11th hour proposal" in the final days of the Biden administration to lower nicotine levels in cigarettes, effectively banning most cigarettes currently on the market in favor of lower-nicotine alternatives. The proposal has reportedly cleared White House review and may be published before FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf leaves office. Supporters argue that reducing nicotine levels could significantly improve public health and save thousands of lives. However, critics, including former Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents, warn that the move could fuel black-market operations and is a "gift to organized crime cartels."