THE FDA'S PROPOSED NICOTINE CAP

What you need to know

The FDA has proposed reducing nicotine in cigarettes to non-addictive levels (0.7mg/g of tobacco). As of September 2025, the proposed rule is undergoing review and analysis.

This rule would:

  • Make quitting easier.
    Smokers find it less difficult to quit when the nicotine levels are significantly reduced in their tobacco products of choice.
  • Protect young people.
    Lowering nicotine would help prevent teens and new smokers from developing lifelong addictions.
  • Only apply to combustible cigarettes.
    The rule targets traditional cigarettes, not e-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco.

This rule would not:

  • Ban cigarettes outright.
    Smokers would still be able to buy cigarettes but with dramatically less addictive potential.

This proposed rule is backed by decades of research. The FDA has studied nicotine reduction since 1994 and says this rule could save millions of lives. 

Why You Should Support the FDA's Rule

Nicotine is a drug in cigarettes engineered to addict you. Reducing nicotine to the FDA’s proposed limit will give millions a real chance to quit and take back their lives.

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Every cigarette harms your body. Supporting the FDA’s nicotine cap puts public health above profits.
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In the U.S., nearly 28 million adults smoke cigarettes, and most want to quit. The current nicotine levels were designed to keep them hooked. The FDA’s nicotine cap will tip the balance in favor of health over addiction.
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The FDA’s plan protects the next generation from a lifetime of dependence and illness.
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Every year, smoking kills more than 480,000 Americans and costs over $600 billion in health care and lost productivity. Lowering nicotine means fewer new addictions, fewer lives cut short, and less stress on our health care system.
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