US Lawmakers Propose Limits on Nicotine Content in E-Cigarettes

On October 8, Illinois Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced a bill aimed at limiting the nicotine content in e-cigarette products in an effort to curb the widespread use of e-cigarettes among teenagers.

The Electronic Tobacco Delivery Systems Act stipulates that the nicotine content in e-cigarettes must not exceed 20 milligrams per milliliter, which is about one-third of the 59 milligrams per milliliter found in standard Juul pods. If passed, the bill would allow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to further lower the nicotine content limit, minimizing or potentially eliminating the addictive nature of e-cigarettes.

While other countries have regulations on nicotine content in e-cigarettes, there are currently no such limits in the United States. Supporters argue that the eye-catching packaging of market leader Juul has encouraged smokers to switch from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes, particularly among the youth demographic.

According to this year's National Youth Tobacco Survey, over a quarter of U.S. high school students use e-cigarettes. Krishnamoorthi and the Economic and Consumer Policy Subcommittee of the Oversight and Reform Committee are investigating Juul's role in fueling the "epidemic" of youth vaping.