The American government wants to reduce the nicotine content in cigarettes.

As announced on Tuesday, President Joe Biden supports a proposal by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that would require a maximum limit for the psychoactive substance in cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Nicotine, found in the leaves of the tobacco plant and other nightshade plants, is considered a folk drug.

According to HHS, approximately 480,000 Americans die prematurely each year from smoking-related diseases.

Tobacco and nicotine are among the most common causes of so-called avoidable deaths.

“Nicotine is a highly addictive substance.

Making cigarettes and other tobacco products little or no addictive would help save lives," said Robert Califf, cardiologist and spokesman for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Young people in particular should be protected from addictive nicotine.

A way out of addiction?

In 2014, after an investigation, the United States Inspectorate of Health recommended reducing nicotine levels as a way out of addiction.

Four years later, the Food and Drug Administration announced a public debate on the issue.

A study published in Spring 2018 in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that reducing nicotine levels would prevent about 33 million Americans from starting to smoke by the year 2100.

In addition, up to 8.5 million lives would be saved.

Washington also took up the issue repeatedly.

During the administration of former President Donald Trump, then-FDA chief Scott Gottlieb proposed stricter regulations for the tobacco industry.

President Biden also supported the initiative.

In 2016, during his time as Vice President, he launched the so-called Cancer Moonshot, a groundbreaking project against cancer.

Although smoking is lower in the United States than in Europe, more than 12 percent of Americans smoke cigarettes or other tobacco products regularly, according to the FDA.

While health organizations such as the American Lung Association have supported the US government's call to reduce nicotine levels, the tobacco industry has repeatedly warned in recent years that the solutions are too simple.

Contrary to scientific studies, less nicotine in cigarettes, she said, does not lead to less consumption.

Rather, a lower nicotine content could tempt smokers to reach for cigarettes more often.

Observers also warn against too much optimism when it comes to the implementation of the “Cancer Moonshot” initiative.

Even the implementation of the plan at the Food and Drug Administration took years.

In addition, the American government is threatened with a marathon of lawsuits from the tobacco industry.