In the final days of his presidency, President Joe Biden is expected to propose a bold move to limit nicotine levels in traditional cigarettes. The anticipated regulation aims to reduce addiction and smoking-related health issues, honoring a long-standing pledge to tackle tobacco use and public health risks.
The proposal, which could be announced within days, focuses solely on traditional cigarettes, excluding e-cigarettes and nicotine replacement products such as patches and lozenges. If finalized, it would mark a significant effort to reduce nicotine levels to make cigarettes minimally or non-addictive. Public health advocates have said this action would be a historic step toward reducing addiction, particularly among young people who are most vulnerable to starting smoking.
“Making cigarettes less addictive would save millions of lives,” said Erika Sward, Assistant Vice President of National Advocacy for the American Lung Association. Studies have shown that dramatically reducing nicotine content could prevent millions of future smokers. For example, a 2018 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) study estimated that such a regulation could result in 16 million fewer smokers by 2060, with even greater impacts over the coming decades.
This proposal represents a continuation of Biden’s earlier efforts to combat tobacco addiction, including a push to ban menthol cigarettes. While that pledge remains unfulfilled, the nicotine cap reflects the administration’s commitment to addressing smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing more than 480,000 Americans annually.
However, the proposal faces significant hurdles. Critics argue that reducing nicotine levels could lead to unintended consequences, such as smokers compensating by consuming more cigarettes or turning to a black market for higher-nicotine products. Additionally, the time-intensive process of finalizing such a regulation means its implementation could take years and will depend on the incoming administration’s priorities. Judging how the second Trump Administration may act when it comes to tobacco regulation is no easy task. On the one hand, during the first Trump Administration, the FDA restricted the sale of certain flavored e-cigarettes over concerns that they were being marketed in a way that appealed to minors. He also signed legislation that increased the federal minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 years of age. On the other hand, during the presidential campaign, Trump said he would “Save vaping again.”
Public health advocates remain optimistic about the potential impact. Yolonda C. Richardson, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, called the proposal “game-changing,” emphasizing its potential to fight chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease.
As President Biden’s term ends, this initiative underscores his administration’s desire to leaving a lasting public health legacy. The proposed nicotine limits could shape the future of tobacco regulation in the United States. However, as President Biden prepares to leave office and President-elect Trump prepares to assume it, the future is as cloudy as a smoky room.