New FDA proposal to lower nicotine levels in cigarettes would impact Georgia smokers
Woman smokes a menthol cigarette in front of a Quick Stop store on March 30, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
ATLANTA - The FDA has proposed a new rule to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes to make them less addictive. The agency believes this initiative could help approximately 13 million current smokers quit within a year and prevent millions of others from becoming addicted to cigarettes.
FDA Commissioner Robert Califf emphasized the long-term impact of the proposal, stating, "By the year 2100, this nicotine product standard could prevent approximately 48 million U.S. youth and young adults from starting smoking."
By the numbers:
Here's a look at the numbers:
Estimated Quitters in One Year: 13 million
Potential Future Impact: Preventing 48 million youth and young adults from smoking by 2100
Annual Cost of Smoking in the U.S.: $600 billion
Georgia’s Rank in Smoking Costs: 43rd in the nation
Lifetime Costs for Smokers in Georgia: More than $3 million
According to a WalletHub report, smoking costs Americans $600 billion annually, factoring in daily cigarette costs, health care expenses, and income losses. In Georgia, smokers face some of the highest lifetime costs associated with the habit, spending over $3 million on average.
- Out-of-Pocket Cost per Smoker – $137,357 (Rank: 45th)
- Financial-Opportunity Cost per Smoker – $2,328,466 (Rank: 45th)
- Health-Care Cost per Smoker – $147,698 (Rank: 45th)
- Income Loss per Smoker – $616,507 (Rank: 29th)
- Other Costs per Smoker – $15,319 (Rank: 34th)
- Total Cost Over Lifetime per Smoker: $3,245,347
- Total Cost per Year per Smoker: $67,611
Significant public health issue
The backstory:
Smoking remains a significant public health issue in the United States. Since 1964, smoking-related illnesses have claimed over 20 million lives in the U.S., including 2.5 million nonsmokers, according to WalletHub.
According to the Center for Disease Control, cigarette smoking causes cancer, heart disease and stroke, lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Type 2 Diabetes and more.
Will Trump support proposal?
What we don't know:
It’s unclear whether the proposal will gain traction with the incoming presidential administration. The FDA’s proposed rule will require further consideration and approval to move forward, and there has been no official word from President-elect Trump’s team on whether they will advance the initiative.
What does FDA hope to accomplish?
Why you should care:
Reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes could lead to significant public health benefits, including lower addiction rates and reduced health care costs. The proposal aims to alleviate the financial and health burdens of smoking on individuals and society as a whole. If implemented, it could be a game-changer for millions of Americans.
The other side:
Opponents of the idea to lower nicotine levels are primarily concerned that it would exacerbate the black market, according to Straight Arrow News. Additionally, they believe current smokers would smoke more cigarettes to compensate for lower nicotine levels.
What's next:
The FDA’s proposal will likely require extensive review and approval before it can be enacted. At this time, the specific language of the proposal is not known. However, it is expected to be published by Monday, according to The Hill.