FDA Plans to Drastically Reduce Nicotine in Cigarettes

Today the US Food and Drug Administration has announced a new advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) about reducing the amount of nicotine in cigarettes to minimally or non-addictive levels.

“We believe the public health benefits and the potential to save millions of lives, both in the near and long term, support this effort,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, said in a statement.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Related Content
FDA: Clarithromycin Could Pose Danger to Heart Disease Patients
FDA: First Blood Test for Concussion Diagnosis Approved
_______________________________________________________________________________________

The ANPRM is part of the FDA’s ongoing comprehensive plan on tobacco and nicotine regulation, which was initiated last year. The plan also includes increased regulation of all tobacco products, 2 additional ANPRMs, and re-evaluating medicinal nicotine replacement products such as nicotine gum.

“All of these efforts complement our ongoing work to educate kids about the dangers of all nicotine-containing products, limit youth access and encourage adults to quit smoking cigarettes,” Dr Gottlieb said.

For more information, you can read the full press release at the FDA’s website here.

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Statement from FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., on pivotal public health step to dramatically reduce smoking rates by lowering nicotine in combustible cigarettes to minimally or non-addictive levels [press release]. US Food and Drug Administration; Published March 15, 2018; Accessed March 15, 2018. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm601039.htm.