Official announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Biden Administration Proposes 95% Nicotine Reduction in Cigarettes to Prevent 16 Million Addictions by 2060

Jan 13, 2025, 03:00 PM

The Biden administration is poised to propose a rule that would limit the amount of nicotine in cigarettes, aiming to reduce smoking addiction. This eleventh-hour effort, which has been years in the making, is expected to require tobacco companies to slash nicotine levels by up to 95% in their products to make them less addictive. The proposal would not affect e-cigarettes or nicotine replacement products. The move is seen as a last-ditch attempt by the outgoing administration to address tobacco regulation, following the failure to ban menthol cigarettes. Public health advocates have expressed support for the policy, noting its potential to help millions quit smoking and prevent others from becoming addicted, with estimates suggesting it could result in 16 million fewer people becoming addicted by 2060 and 33.1 million by 2100. Over 400,000 people die each year in the US from diseases associated with cigarette use, and cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death, killing more than 480,000 annually. The rule has not been made public, so the specific language is unknown, but it is anticipated to have a significant impact on public health if implemented.