FDA begins push to drastically cut nicotine in cigarettes

WASHINGTON — Federal health officials took the first step Thursday to drastically cut nicotine levels in cigarettes so they aren’t addictive. The Food and Drug Administration estimated that its sweeping anti-smoking plan, first announced last summer, could push the U.S. smoking rate to 1.4 percent. Now about 15 percent of U.S. adults smoke.
FDA regulators estimate about 5 million more people would quit cigarettes within one year of new nicotine limits. Currently there are n