The FDA is seeking to limit nicotine in cigarettes, most cigars. Vapes and Zyn are excluded.

The Food and Drug Administration unveiled a proposed rule Wednesday that would require tobacco companies to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes, most cigars and other combustible tobacco products sold nationwide.

The proposed rule does not ban nicotine but lowers the amount allowed in cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, hand-rolling tobacco and most cigars to 0.7 milligrams per gram of tobacco – a lower amount than currently available on market and potentially low enough to prevent dependence.

But the nicotine limit does not apply to vaping products, nicotine pouches such as Zynhookahs or premium cigars.

The public can comment on the proposed rule until September 15, which the agency will review before taking next steps, including adopting a nicotine limit. That means the nicotine rule would be administered under President-elect Donald Trump, who named Johns Hopkins surgeon Marty Makary to head the agency that regulates drugs, devices, food and tobacco.

The reduction was first proposed during the previous Trump administration by FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb.

The FDA said the rule aims to prevent underage smoking and help adults transition from tobacco to lower-risk alternatives that would reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. However, the agency said no tobacco product is safe and urged children and adults to avoid tobacco products completely.

“This proposal helps begin an important conversation about how we can meaningfully address one of the deadliest consumer products in history and profoundly change the landscape of tobacco product use in the States. -United,” Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. , said in a statement.

The FDA said the level is low enough to prevent addiction and that research shows smokers will not compensate for low levels by smoking more.

Anti-tobacco groups applauded the FDA’s proposed nicotine limit, but also said the nicotine limit doesn’t go far enough.

Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association, said children are attracted to tobacco products because of their flavors and tobacco industry marketing, but he added that they become addicted to nicotine.

“Making tobacco products non-addictive would significantly reduce the number of young people who become addicted when they experiment,” Wimmer said. However, to fully address the harmful health consequences of tobacco to our nation and all communities, we urge the FDA to reduce nicotine levels. at non-addictive levels in all tobacco products, including all cigars, hookahs and e-cigarettes.

This article was originally published on USA TODAY: The FDA is seeking to limit nicotine in cigarettes and cigars. What to know