Limit the nicotine content in cigarettes | Wilnesh News

In its final days in office, the Biden administration is expected to formally propose limits on the amount of nicotine in cigarettes. It would be a last-minute move to fight back against the tobacco industry after President Joe Biden failed to finalize a bill. long term commitment prohibit Menthol cigarettes.

The proposal, which could come as soon as Monday, is not expected to include tobacco products such as e-cigarettes or nicotine replacement patches and lozenges.

“This is a Hail Mary for the Biden administration,” said Erika Sward, the American Lung Association’s assistant vice president for national advocacy.

although it is Toxins released by combustible tobacco cause chronic disease Deaths related to smoking, nicotine First get people hooked, then keep them coming back.

precise Details of proposal to limit nicotine content Has not been released yet. However, many studies have shown that levels may need to be cut by up to 95% Make them minimal or non-addictive.

“This will be a historic action by the FDA with the potential to have a dramatic impact on public health,” said Dr. Rose Marie Robertson, scientific and medical officer for the American Heart Association.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, according to the agency Centers for Disease Control and Preventionkilling more than 480,000 people every year.

Almost all smokers start smoking as teenagers. Sward said reducing the addictive nature of cigarettes would save millions of lives.

one Learning in 2018 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimates that nicotine caps will lead to 16 million fewer people becoming addicted to smoking by 2060.

If the Biden administration releases proposed rules next week, it could still be several years before they are finalized.

Yolonda C. Richardson, president and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said in a statement to NBC News that limiting the amount of nicotine in cigarettes would be a “game changer.” “Few actions will make a greater difference in combating chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease that disproportionately harm America’s health and that the incoming administration has said should be a priority.”

For the first time in President-elect Donald Trump’s first term, the FDA, which has the power to regulate tobacco, has publicly discussed plans to limit nicotine content.

2017, Then-FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb The wheels were set in motion by announcing a “comprehensive plan” that includes the idea of ​​”regulating the nicotine content in combustible cigarettes to make them minimally or non-addictive”.

Part of its purpose is to steer adult smokers toward non-combustible products such as e-cigarettes. Plans for 2017 also include the possibility of regulating e-cigarette flavors and banning menthol products. one Federal ban on most flavors However, the bill came into effect in 2020, Menthol is still on the market.

In an interview this week, Gottlieb said that addressing smoking rates must be “top of the agenda” in any effort to improve public health and reduce chronic disease.

“Perhaps the most impactful thing we can do is to drastically reduce the smoking rate in this country,” he said.