India’s CSIR Develops New Tobacco with 40%–50% Lower Nicotine Content

An Indian research institution has developed low-nicotine tobacco to reduce its impact on public health. The newly developed tobacco contains 40% to 50% less nicotine, and the laboratory will continue its research to further reduce nicotine content by 60% to 70%.

According to a September 25 report by The Times of India, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed a new tobacco variety with 40% to 50% less nicotine than conventional tobacco, in an effort to reduce its impact on public health. 

According to CSIR Director General N. Kalaiselvi, one of the organization’s institutes developed the new tobacco variety following a suggestion from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The nicotine content in this tobacco is 40% to 50% lower than that of ordinary tobacco, helping reduce its health impact. “Therefore, even if consumers use tobacco, its impact on health will be as small as possible,” Kalaiselvi said. 

Prime Minister Modi had previously raised the possibility of developing this type of tobacco, and the laboratory subsequently created the new variety to lessen the health impact of tobacco. Kalaiselvi said the lab is continuing its efforts to reduce the nicotine content further by 60% to 70%.