FDA: Reducing Nicotine Content — CCC Responds: Not Yet

 　　FDA: Reducing Nicotine Content — CCC Responds: Not Yet

  　　The Consumer Choice Center has released a rebuttal to the FDA's yet-to-be-announced policy: suggesting a reduction in nicotine content in combustible cigarettes, assuming that this would help regular smokers quit and prevent young people from developing smoking habits.   　　The Consumer Choice Center states that this policy is unlikely to achieve the FDA's expected results and argues that compensatory smoking means that smokers will need to consume more cigarettes to satisfy their nicotine cravings, leading to an increased intake of toxic substances. Furthermore, this would encourage the currently thriving low-tax cigarette black market to transform into a new black market for high-nicotine, low-tax cigarettes.   　　Jeff Stier, a senior fellow at the Consumer Choice Center, pointed out: “The FDA must acknowledge that this could have unintended negative consequences, with smokers inhaling more dangerous chemicals to satisfy their nicotine needs. The authorities have also failed to address the obvious risk that this potential change could lead to an explosion of illegal cigarette trade.”   　　The FDA seems to overlook emerging scientific data: it is the substances produced by the combustion of cigarettes that are harmful to health, not nicotine itself. Given this misunderstanding, the FDA should strengthen scientific research and base reasonable policy-making on scientific knowledge.   　　According to Mr. Stier: “The FDA appears to be pushing a policy agenda and seeking scientific support. This is completely contrary to a logical process.”   　　Health Experts Push Vaping Law Reform   　　A national tobacco reform initiative composed of senior officials from the tobacco control and public health agencies has submitted its position statement on vaping product legal reform, summarized as follows:   　　First, the statement allows all e-cigarette products launched in 2016, which did not pass the overwhelmingly burdensome market entry review requirements, to remain available to the public. This regulation would place e-cigarette products in a fairer position.   　　Second, this statement also includes other more responsible requirements for consumers, such as submitting health information in the form of harmful ingredients and protective measures to prevent misleading sales. Third, it requires the FDA to establish safety standards for e-liquids and batteries. Fourth, it would prohibit all sales and marketing that could target minors. Finally, the statement demands that all products have accurate nicotine warnings and content labels.