The latest announcement from the FDA has sent stocks of major tobacco companies reeling amid fears that the agency is going to drastically change the way cigarettes are manufactured in the near future. According to the FDA, the new measure is designed to reduce the amount of nicotine in cigarettes to a level that is minimally addictive to protect young people from the dangers of cigarette exposure.

FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb and others at the FDA have stated that their goal is to reduce the amount of health expenditures for cigarette-related diseases, such as lung cancer and other illnesses. For decades, it has been public knowledge that cigarettes pose a particularly high level of harm to users not just because of the nicotine they contain but because of the chemicals and combustion process used when consuming them. By lowering nicotine levels to a point where people are less likely to become addicted, the desired result is to prevent future generations from getting hooked on cigarettes.

Despite tobacco companies being caught off guard by the news, Dr. Gottlieb and his colleagues seem forward-thinking with their statement. They note that this policy change aims to encourage companies to offer less harmful alternatives in the future by supporting innovation within the industry.

Consumers would still be able to get their nicotine, as the announcement specifically states that combustion-free e-cigarettes and similar products would still be available for adults who "want and need" nicotine under the new regulations.

Along with this announcement comes further clarification about what vapor manufacturers can expect in the future. After months of trepidation over the FDA deeming regulations that would have brought the vapor industry to a near halt, the FDA is now looking at a longer review timeframe and a different process to get new e-liquids to the market. Now, e-liquids introduced to the market on or before August 8, 2016, have until August 8th, 2022, to have their product reviewed and approved by the agency. E-liquid companies would be allowed to continue marketing those products in the interim.

It is important to note, however, that some of the provisions of the original deeming rule will still go into effect as planned, including ingredient lists, low/mild/light terminology being banned, and additional warning statements.

The FDA concluded this announcement by noting that they plan on taking feedback from the public and performing additional research to formulate policy in the future with nicotine and tobacco products. They hope to hear what people think about child safety, battery issues, ingredient lists, etc. It is important and welcome that the agency is considering the impact and implications on the vapor community going forward. Read more about VaporFi Shipping Policies & Procedures.