FDA Takes Next Steps Toward Reducing Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes

By the Editors

The FDA on Thursday released an evidence review of the role of nicotine in addiction as part of its plan to reduce nicotine in combustible cigarettes to less addictive or nonaddictive levels.

In the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers estimate that reducing nicotine levels could help an additional 5 million adults quit smoking within 1 year of implementation. By 2060, smoking prevalence could drop to 1.4%, and 2.8 million tobacco-related deaths could be averted. By 2100, over 33 million people could avoid becoming smokers.

FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said in a statement that reducing nicotine levels should make it "harder for future generations to become addicted in the first place and [allow] more currently addicted smokers to quit or switch to potentially less harmful products."

Gottlieb said the agency is looking for public comment on numerous questions, including: What potential maximum nicotine level would be appropriate for the protection of public health? Should a product standard be implemented all at once or gradually? (See fourth link below to submit comments.)