Blumenthal Statement on Proposed FDA Rulemaking to Reduce Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) issued the following statement in reaction to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) announcement of proposed rulemaking that will explore mandating reduced nicotine levels in cigarettes to “minimally or non-addictive levels.”

“Making cigarettes less addictive by reducing nicotine levels would be a monumental public health triumph – saving millions of Americans from lifetimes of addiction and illness,” said Blumenthal. “While FDA’s consideration of this proposal is a welcome step in the right direction, it must result in swift and concrete action that meaningfully reduces nicotine levels in cigarettes. I will be calling on the FDA to fulfill this moral mandate, and to expand this proposal to all tobacco products. We cannot afford to wait another minute with lives hanging in the balance.”

In August 2017, Blumenthal joined 13 Senators in denouncing FDA’s delayed action on lowering nicotine levels. The Senators also expressed concerns over lagging oversight of newly-regulated tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes.