An AACR Policy Statement to Support a Federal Limit on Nicotine in Combustible Tobacco and Protect Public Health

Chronic tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of 18 cancer types, heart and pulmonary disease, and premature death in the United States. The average cigarette contains approximately 10 to 15 mg of nicotine, a highly addictive chemical and the primary driver of chronic tobacco use. High-quality clinical trials have repeatedly shown that reducing nicotine content in cigarettes by approximately 95% lowers exposure to toxicants and carcinogens by decreasing the number of cigarettes smoked and increasing quit attempts and cessation. It is estimated that limiting nicotine in combustible cigarettes to such minimally addictive levels would result in nearly 13 million additional Americans quitting smoking within 1 year, powerfully benefiting public health. Therefore, we urge the FDA to move forward in finalizing the recently proposed nicotine product standard limiting nicotine concentration to 0.7 mg/g within combustible cigarettes and other selected combustible tobacco products. Specific populations may benefit disproportionately from a limit on nicotine levels, and it is important to consider such impacts. Therefore, it is vital that the FDA and other federal and local health agencies engage with broad stakeholders to ensure that all Americans benefit equally. Additionally, increased support for evidence-based smoking cessation therapies and education surrounding the continuum of risk of nicotine products will be essential for supporting individuals who want to quit and maximizing the public health benefits of the nicotine product standard. If implemented, this policy would constitute one of the most impactful cancer prevention, anti-addiction, and anti-chronic disease policies in American history.