US FDA Plans To Reduce Nicotine Content in Tobacco Products, Approval Process May Take Months

US FDA plans to reduce nicotine content in tobacco products, approval process may take months

The US FDA has submitted a proposed rule to significantly reduce the nicotine content in tobacco products. The approval process may take several months, and the tobacco industry may sue to block the new rules.

According to CNN on December 11, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submitted a proposed rule at the end of the Biden administration to significantly reduce the nicotine content in tobacco products.

The FDA first hinted at its intention to limit nicotine content in 2018. In 2022, FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf announced that the agency was developing a rule requiring tobacco companies to reduce the nicotine content in cigarettes.

On Tuesday (10), the FDA submitted its proposal to the Office of Management and Budget. The FDA told CNN on Wednesday (11th): "Establishing maximum nicotine content standards to reduce the addictiveness of cigarettes and certain combusted tobacco products will, when finalized, be one of the most impactful actions in the history of tobacco product regulation in the United States."

American Lung Association CEO Harold Wimmer praised the action,

"Once the rule is finalized, it may change our country's efforts to eliminate tobacco use. Making tobacco products non-addictive will greatly reduce the number of young people who become addicted. In addition, it is critical to reduce the nicotine content of all commercial tobacco products, including e-cigarettes."

Dr. Rose Marie Robertson, deputy chief scientific and medical officer of the heart association, pointed out that even if nicotine content is restricted, not all smokers will quit smoking.

CNN pointed out that the approval process may take several months, and the tobacco industry usually sues the government to block new regulations.