Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to obtain information on whether it should consider setting a maximum nicotine level for cigarettes. In making the announcement, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb released a statement, saying, “we’re taking a pivotal step today that could ultimately bring us closer to our vision of a world where combustible cigarettes would no longer create or sustain addiction – making it harder for future generations to become addicted in the first place and allowing more currently addicted smokers to quit or switch to potentially less harmful products.”

The announcement of the ANPRM kicked off a 90-day comment period, which allows stakeholders and other interested parties to provide input on specific questions to help the FDA move forward on any potential standards. CDA will likely submit comments during the comment period and we will be sure to share those with our membership. It is important to note that the FDA has issued ANPRMs on a variety of subjects which have not always led directly to rule changes, and the FDA was quick to note that there would be a subsequent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking following this process.