Biden planning a parting gift for Americans: Cigarettes without nicotine

The Biden administration is expected to propose a limit on nicotine in cigarettes, a move aimed at curbing smoking addiction. The proposal could be released as soon as Monday, according to the NBC News. It will not affect e-cigarettes or nicotine replacement products.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to regulate tobacco. Lowering nicotine levels makes cigarettes less addictive, potentially saving millions of lives. The FDA estimated in 2018 that a nicotine cap would prevent 16 million people from becoming addicted to smoking by 2060, and 33.1 million by 2100.


Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing over 480,000 people annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most smokers start as teenagers.

Nicotine is the addictive substance in cigarettes, while other toxins cause smoking-related illnesses. Studies suggest reducing nicotine by up to 95% could make cigarettes minimally or non-addictive.

“This would be a historic action by the FDA that has the potential to have an enormous impact on public health,” Dr. Rose Marie Robertson, science and medical officer of the American Heart Association, told the NBC.

“Limiting nicotine in cigarettes would be ‘game-changing,’” Yolonda C. Richardson, president and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said in a statement to NBC News. “Few actions would do more to fight chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease that greatly undermine health in the United States and that the incoming administration has indicated should be a priority to address.”

However, if proposed, the rule would take years to become final. The FDA first discussed limiting nicotine in cigarettes in 2017, under then-Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb. This plan also included regulating e-cigarette flavors and banning menthol cigarettes. While a flavor ban went into effect in 2020, menthol remains on the market.