Biden seeks cigarette ban in final days of presidency.

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As President Joe Biden’s term approaches its conclusion, he’s making a significant move that could reshape the tobacco landscape in the U.S. by attempting to ban cigarettes. With less than two weeks left in office, Biden has proposed a rule through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a maximum nicotine level in tobacco products, aiming to reduce the addictiveness of cigarettes. This move, which has completed regulatory review by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on January 3, 2025, could potentially go into effect before he leaves office, marking a dramatic policy shift.

This proposed regulation isn’t about outright banning cigarettes but setting a nicotine threshold so low that current commercial cigarettes would no longer meet the standard, effectively phasing them out. The goal is to make smoking less addictive, though the risks associated with smoking, like cancer and heart disease, remain unchanged. Critics argue this could infringe on personal freedoms, with some Republicans like Representative Ronny Jackson of Texas vocalizing that while smoking is harmful, it should remain a personal choice.

The proposal has stirred controversy, with debates on its implications for public health versus personal liberty. It’s estimated that smoking causes over 480,000 deaths annually in the U.S., according to the CDC, which proponents use to justify the move. However, the timing of this regulation, coming in the final days of Biden’s presidency, suggests it might be a last-ditch effort to leave a lasting health policy legacy.

Opposition to this move has been vocal, with concerns that it might drive smokers towards unregulated products on the black market, potentially benefiting criminal organizations. Critics like Richard Marianos, former assistant director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, have warned that this could be a “gift” to cartels, as law enforcement might not have the resources to tackle increased cigarette trafficking.

The debate over this proposed ban highlights a divide between public health initiatives and the economic and freedom aspects of tobacco use. While the intention is to curb addiction and save lives, the method and timing raise questions about its long-term effectiveness and the immediate economic impact on both legal tobacco businesses and the enforcement agencies.

As Biden’s presidency winds down, this last-minute push for a cigarette ban underscores his administration’s focus on public health, even as it faces criticism for potentially overstepping into personal freedoms. Whether this regulation will take effect before his departure from office remains uncertain, but its introduction has certainly ignited a conversation about the future of tobacco regulation in America.