What the New FDA Cigarette Rule Could Mean for Smokers

03/14/2025

Key Takeaways

01. The FDA cigarette rule aims to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes, making them less addictive and helping millions of smokers quit.

02. This new FDA cigarette policy could be a game-changer for smokers, providing a unique opportunity to transition away from nicotine and adopt healthier habits.

03. Understanding both the chemical and physical dependence on nicotine can better equip you to face the challenges of quitting smoking.

04. Tools like The Shift Breathing Necklace and the Quit Vaping and Smoking Course offer an innovative, drug-free approach to managing cravings and anxiety while supporting your journey to quit smoking.

And Why a Breathing Necklace Is Your Ally in the Fight Against Nicotine

There are a lot of changes happening in the political world these days. One potential shift that flew under the radar but will affect millions– the concentration of nicotine in cigarettes. With an estimated 11.6 percent (28.8 million) of U.S. adults current cigarette smokers, the new FDA cigarette rule is causing quite the stir. The announcement on January 15th probably left you with a bunch of questions- especially if you’re one of those millions.

If you're pondering the possibility of transitioning to the other products, it is worth considering a much healthier alternative– quitting nicotine overall! This is the perfect opportunity to start a brand new smokeless chapter and pick up healthier habits like a breathing necklace.

With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about this potential new FDA smoking policy and how it can be a phenomenal opportunity to kick that nicotine habit to the curb.

What is the New FDA Cigarette Rule

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is shaking things up with a new proposal that could change the way people smoke. Their goal? To make cigarettes and other tobacco products way less addictive. How? By capping nicotine levels at just 0.7 milligrams per gram of tobacco—that’s much lower than what’s in cigarettes today. For comparison, the average cigarette currently contains about 10 to 14 milligrams of nicotine per gram of tobacco. The idea behind enacting this new FDA cigarette rule is simple: with less nicotine, it’ll be easier for people to quit smoking and less tempting for young people to start in the first place.

This does not mean cigarettes are being banned. The FDA isn’t outlawing tobacco products; it’s just targeting the addictive substance inside them. This rule would also cover a range of products, including regular cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, most cigars (like little cigars, cigarillos, and big cigars), and even pipe tobacco.

The FDA isn’t just immediately jumping into taking action, though– they’re currenty spending time listening to what people think about this idea. They’re gathering feedback from the public and getting input from experts on the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee.

If this rule gets the green light, the U.S. would be the first country to put such strict nicotine limits in place—a huge step in fighting tobacco-related diseases and deaths.

One question that is probably at the front of many people’s minds is: "Won't people just smoke more to get the same nicotine fix?" It’s a good question! But research shows that’s not really the case. In fact, cigarettes with less nicotine don’t seem to make people puff more. Instead, they help people cut down overall, which is a win for health.

This proposal is part of the FDA's bigger plan to tackle addiction head-on. By reducing nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes, they hope to protect young people from starting bad habits and give current smokers a better shot at quitting. If it works, this policy could save millions of lives and make a big dent in tobacco-related health problems.

The Goal of the New FDA Smoking Policy

So, why is the FDA pushing for such a bold move? The answer is simple: to save lives and reduce the health crisis caused by smoking. Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, killing more than 480,000 Americans each year. It also costs the country more than $600 billion annually, including over $240 billion in healthcare expenses and nearly $372 billion in lost productivity.

Research shows that nicotine is the primary reason people become addicted to smoking, but it's not what causes the deadly diseases—those come from the toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke. By lowering nicotine levels, the goal is to make cigarettes less appealing, helping current smokers quit and preventing future generations from ever starting.

As Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, puts it: “This proposed action would be one of the most significant in FDA history to curb tobacco use. According to the FDA’s estimates, reducing nicotine levels to minimally addictive or non-addictive levels in cigarettes could prompt 12.9 million people to quit smoking within the first year and 19.5 million to quit within five years. It could also prevent more than 48 million youth and young adults from becoming regular smokers and save 4.3 million lives by the end of this century.”

The benefits of the new FDA cigarette go beyond just quitting smoking. Reduced nicotine levels can help decrease the number of new smokers, lower healthcare costs related to tobacco-related illnesses, and improve the overall health of the population. It’s a public health win on multiple fronts.

Addition to Another Recent FDA Smoking Policy

This isn’t the first time the FDA has taken action to reduce tobacco use. In August 2024, the agency finalized a rule called the “Prohibition of Sale of Tobacco Products to Persons Younger than 21 Years of Age.” Starting September 30, 2024, retailers must now check photo IDs for anyone under 30 trying to buy cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, or other covered tobacco products. Plus, vending machines selling these products are no longer allowed in places where people under 21 are present.

These steps are part of a broader strategy to tackle the tobacco epidemic. While smoking rates have declined over the years, it’s still a major public health issue. By combining age restrictions with efforts to reduce nicotine levels, the new FDA smoking policy is working to make smoking less accessible and less addictive.

Using the New FDA Cigarette Rule to Quit Smoking

If you’re thinking that the new FDA cigarette rule could be your perfect transition to quitting smoking, you’re absolutely right. But before you jump in, it’s crucial to know what to expect. Understanding what’s ahead can help you prepare mentally and emotionally, making your quit journey more manageable and successful. It can also help you tailor a plan to avoid major pitfalls and push through those craving moments.

Quitting smoking isn’t just about breaking a habit—it’s about overcoming both chemical and physical dependence. Chemical dependence refers to how nicotine interacts with your brain. It triggers the release of dopamine, the "feel-good" chemical, which creates that sense of pleasure and reward. Over time, your brain craves nicotine just to feel normal. On the other hand, physical dependence is all about the rituals: the hand-to-mouth motion, the routine of smoking with your morning coffee, or the social aspect of sharing a smoke break.

When you quit, nicotine withdrawal can feel overwhelming. Symptoms often peak within the first week and can include:

Cravings: Intense urges to smoke, often triggered by stress, habits, or environmental cues.
Irritability and Mood Swings: You might feel frustrated, anxious, or even depressed as your brain adjusts.
Sleep Disturbances: Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep is common during the early stages.
Increased Appetite: Many people experience heightened hunger, leading to weight gain if not managed.
Difficulty Concentrating: Your mind might feel foggy or distracted as it adapts to functioning without nicotine.

Knowing the difference between these two types of dependence can make a big difference in how you approach quitting. It helps you identify your triggers and anticipate withdrawal symptoms so you’re not caught off guard. With the right plan in place, you’ll be better equipped to handle cravings and setbacks. You’ll also understand that withdrawal isn’t just "in your head"—it’s your body adjusting to life without nicotine.

Having realistic expectations can boost your confidence. You’ll know that cravings are temporary, that mood swings can happen, and that it’s all part of the process. This knowledge empowers you to stick with it, even when it gets tough. Remember, quitting isn’t just about willpower—it’s about strategy, support, and understanding what’s happening to your mind and body.

Want to dive deeper into how chemical and physical dependence work and learn strategies to tackle them? Check out this blog for more insights.

LEARN MORE

How a Breathing Necklace Can Help Quit Smoking

The Shift Smoking Replacement Necklace is a simple yet innovative tool designed to support your journey to quit. Its patented design helps you slow your exhale to over 8 seconds, activating your vagus nerve and soothing your nervous system. Slowing the exhale is key to unlocking a wide range of benefits for both your body and mind. This original breathing necklace doesn’t rely on apps, batteries, or chemicals—it’s all about harnessing a natural, silent breath technique that promotes calm. Given everything we know about nicotine addiction, the absence of chemicals here is a huge plus!

If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to smoking, the Shift Breathing Necklace is an excellent choice.

The Power of a Breathing Necklace For Smoking Cessation

There are a variety of ways a breathing necklace can help if you’re looking to quit smoking following the potential new FDA cigarette rule.

Breaking the Nicotine Habit

Breathwork is an underrated, science-backed wellness tool. A breathing necklace supports long exhales, which can help manage stress and anxiety, replace the hand-to-mouth habit, and soothe nicotine cravings by calming the nervous system. Relieving anxiety is one of its top benefits, making it a powerful ally in your effort to quit smoking.

Managing Anxiety

Speaking of anxiety, many people turn to cigarettes for stress relief, but nicotine offers only temporary relief while potentially increasing anxiety over time. A breathing necklace provides a healthier, zero-nicotine solution you can wear as a bracelet or necklace. Slowing your exhalations helps trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing anxiety and promoting mental clarity. This not only helps with daily stress but also curbs nicotine cravings.

Replacing Oral Fixation

Smoking often involves repetitive hand-to-mouth actions, reinforcing the habit. A breathing necklace offers a healthier way to satisfy this oral fixation through mindful, deep breathing.

More About the Best Breathing Necklace

Komuso designed and patented the original smoking cessation breathing necklace concept in 2017. Unfortunately, hundreds of counterfeit knock-offs have been documented as scams that ship from China, often taking months to arrive, if they ever do. Many of these use toxic metals for the mouthpiece, copy Komuso’s story, and infringe on two patents. These knock-offs don’t meet the quality standards we’ve established for our product.

The Shift Smoking Cessation Necklace is made with medical-grade 316 stainless steel, and the precious metal colors are baked throughout the piece through a proprietary process to ensure it doesn’t scratch or fade. The chamber is precisely designed to slow your exhale to 8+ seconds, ensuring you get the most out of every breath.

We also offer a free breath course called TKM: The Komuso Method, which teaches you how to make the most of your necklace. Our course provides a daily formula to help you incorporate better breathing practices, allowing you to experience improved mental health and wellness while reducing stress and calming nicotine cravings. By teaching you how best to use your Shift Necklace, along with breathwork, emotional granularity, and reticular activation, you'll learn how to form a habit of feeling more calm and in control, supporting your journey to quit smoking.

Whether you're facing work stress, flight anxiety, parenting challenges, chronic anxiety, or just the challenges of quitting smoking following the new FDA cigarette rule, the Shift Breathing Necklace can help you better navigate these emotionally charged situations.

So much good in one breath.

SHOP THE SHIFT

Looking For Even More Targeted Help?

Experience the most comprehensive smoking cessation course designed by a leading neuroscientist, Cody Isabel. Komuso’s Quit Vaping and Smoking Course blends cutting-edge neuroscience with one of the most effective wellness tools—the Shift Breathing Necklace—to support you through a proven quitting strategy. Cody helps rewire mindset and behaviors using his proprietary Tapering Method, which is rooted in behavioral neuroscience and positive reinforcement.

This is how you quit—for good.

Backed by over 22,000 hours of clinical research and training, Cody’s method works because it takes a gradual, sustainable approach. Through mindset training, behavioral science, and physical tapering, he guides you step by step to break the habit. He understands the struggle firsthand—and now, he's here to help you.

This course isn’t just about quitting smoking or vaping—it’s about transforming how you see yourself.

Take a look at our Understanding Bad Habits and How to Replace Vaping or Smoking three-part blog series to learn even more about harnessing neuroscience to kick smoking to the curb.

Finding the Fresh Silver Lining

As the new FDA smoking policy makes waves, it’s clear that this is more than just a regulatory change—it’s a chance for millions of smokers to take control of their health and start fresh. If you're ready to kick the habit, you’re not alone. Support is everywhere, from the new rules to innovative tools like The Shift Breathing Necklace.

Instead of looking at this new policy with anger or trepidation, instead, view it as the perfect moment to break free and embrace a future where your health and well-being come first.

Remember, quitting smoking is a journey, not a destination. It’s a process of reclaiming your life, one breath at a time. And while the road may seem daunting, with each step forward, you’re not only breaking free from nicotine—you’re building a stronger, healthier you. With the right tools, like mindful breathing and the support you need, you can turn this moment of change into the beginning of something positive and life-changing.

It’s your time to thrive—take a deep breath and step into the next chapter with confidence!

Title

Find Balance. Find Calm.

Breathe

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