On June 22, 2022, the FDA proposed a rule that would begin to limit the amount of nicotine in combustible cigarettes. People use tobacco products because of the addictive and reinforcing nature of the drug nicotine. For the most part, however, the health problems are caused by other compounds inhaled along with the nicotine. Over time, the hope is that sufficiently reducing nicotine would make the product “no more appealing than lard” to quote a former FDA committee member.
The strategy to reduce nicotine in tobacco products was originally proposed more than 30 years ago (Benowitz and Henningfield). The aim here is to make the most dangerous forms of nicotine delivery non-addictive, so that young people who experiment with tobacco do not transition into daily addicted users. In fact, it was discovered in tobacco industry documents, that this strategy was a concern of tobacco companies, as they feared that reducing nicotine levels would prevent them from acquiring any new smokers.
As e-cigarettes are so readily accessible, the reduction of nicotine levels in combustible cigarettes might drive more people to using nicotine vaping devices. And because combustible cigarettes are the leading cause of preventable death, the assumption is that the proposed rule would improve public health. Groups like the American Lung Association have issued statements in support of the proposal; however, the American Lung Association is also asking that the proposed rule be expanded to include all tobacco products (including e-cigarettes): Lung Association: FDA Proposal to Lower Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes Important Step for Public Heal...
The rule is proposed to begin in May of 2023. And the FDA is now taking public comments on the rule. If you would like to read comments or provide feedback you can visit the FDA website at Submit Comments on Tobacco Products | FDA
What's your take on this proposed change? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.
Michael V. Burke, Ed.D
Program Director and NDC Counselor/ CTTS
Reference:
Benowitz NL, Henningfield JE. Reducing the nicotine content to make cigarettes less addictive. Tob Control. 2013 May; 22 (Suppl 1): i14-i17.
Photo by Wesley Tingey
