Cigarettes with ultralow nicotine levels are now being called the game-changer in the fight against smoking. If you are having trouble in quitting smoking, then, it is for you, that soon the Biden White House is expected to formally propose a plan that will order cigarette nicotine levels to be reduced, reports The Washington Post. For now though, it has been a failure, as these cigarettes, also known as VLN cigarettes that stands for very low nicotine are only available in 5,100 stores in 26 states. This is a very small fraction of the overall market for cigarettes. The company that makes it, 22nd Century, is struggling not because of the low supply, but also from the advocates who have long believed slashing nicotine levels altogether.

The Advent and ideation

Nicotine is a chemical that is produced naturally from tobacco that makes the cigarette and also keeps people hooked. While it is believed that it makes people alert, and get the "hit" to keep them going, it exposes the users to harmful substances, carcinogens, and increases the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and other illness.

Ultralow-nicotine cigarettes, like the VLN brand, contain about 95% less nicotine than the regular cigarettes. The idea is quite simple: without the addictive grip of nicotine, smokers will find it easier to quit. Research too has shown some promise. For instance, the studies funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse revealed that very low nicotine cigarettes reduced addiction potential significantly without having users to increase their smoking frequency. However, the problem is, why would anyone choose for a low-nicotine that does not make them feel the same way, when the high-nicotine cigarette is right next to it, making them feel the same way, with the same alertness, sold at the same price.

“It’s very hard to imagine someone actively choosing to continue to use a low-nicotine product for the same price when a high-nicotine product is right next to it,” said Eric Donny, a Wake Forest University School of Medicine nicotine researcher.

No wonder, the experiment with low nicotine product by Philip Morris' Next cigarettes in the 1980s and Vector Tobacco's Quest brand in the early 2000s, flopped.

FDA's Role in the Push

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has supported the development of such products, even allowing VLN cigarettes to be marketed as lower-risk options. However, these products remain a niche market, available in only a fraction of U.S. stores.

Recently, the Biden administration has considered a bold step—mandating a dramatic reduction in nicotine levels for all cigarettes sold in the United States. Supporters believe this move could save millions of lives, while critics, including tobacco companies, warn of potential unintended consequences.

What Could Be The Challenges?

Resistance from Big Tobacco Companies: They could argue that slashing nicotine levels could backfire. Their claim is, smokers will turn to black markets or smoke more to satisfy their cravings, which may lead to greater exposure to harmful substances.

Consumer Reluctance: History is proof to the instances of smokers being hesitant to embrace the low-nicotine products.

Political Hurdle: It may face political roadblocks, as under the Trump administration, plans to cut nicotine were shelved.

Could Low-Nicotine Cigarettes Be The Solution?

Advocates believe that ultralow-nicotine cigarettes could be a game-changer, comparing them to decaf coffee or non-alcoholic beer—products that reduce harm while offering a similar experience.

Some experts warn that a black market for traditional cigarettes could undermine these efforts. They also stress the need for safer alternatives, such as vaping products, to support smokers transitioning away from traditional cigarettes.

An experimental male contraceptive pill could soon enable men to prevent pregnancy on demand as researchers are aiming for it to work within 30 minutes of being ingested and provide protection for at least six to eight hours.

Scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine in the United States have received a grant of $8.2 million from the National Institutes of Health to test the drug in a human trial for the first time. The investigational pill is designed to temporarily stop the sperm in its tracks, rather than suppressing hormone production or formation of sperm.

The drug’s effectiveness, safety and ability to maintain fertility health after each dose remain to be investigated.

More About The Experimental Male Contraceptive Pill

Researchers Dr Jochen Buck and Dr Lonny Levin, professors of pharmacology at Weill Cornell, are developing a compound that blocks an enzyme called soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC).

This enzyme plays a crucial role in sperm motility, the ability of sperm to move. By inhibiting sAC, the drug is intended to temporarily immobilise sperm, preventing them from swimming enough to fertilise an egg.

In 2023, the researchers reported in Nature Communications that blocking sAC rendered sperm immobile and prevented pregnancies in preclinical models. This drug differs from experimental hormonal male contraceptives, which generally aim to reduce sperm production and may require weeks to become effective.

“We’ve developed an on-demand contraceptive pill that men would take 30 minutes before having sex,” Buck said in a statement from Weill Cornell Medicine. “The pill provides a six-to-eight-hour window of protection from pregnancy, and afterwards, fertility returns to normal.”

These timings reflect the researchers’ intended profile for the drug. They have not yet been confirmed in people yet.

Also read: 'Contraceptive Coil Saved My Life': UK Woman's Persistent Abdominal Pain Led Her To Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis

Humans Trials Planned

The four-year grant will fund the toxicology and safety studies that are needed before human testing. The grant will also cover the development of an oral formulation as well as the drug’s manufacturing processes.

The next step is a Phase 1, placebo-controlled trial in which healthy men will participate. Researchers will monitor participants for side effects and examine sperm samples to measure changes in motility. They will also investigate whether the effect is temporary and sperm movement returns to normal after the drug’s effect wears off.

“Contraception is unusual in that you’re giving a medicine to healthy people, often in their prime, so the requirements for efficacy and safety are particularly stringent,” said Dr Peter Meinke, an assistant professor of pharmacology at Weill Cornell who has contributed to the drug's development.

“You need a molecule that is fast-acting, potent, safe and which is active for hours in the male but also continues to prevent sperm from swimming inside the drug-free female,” he added.

Also read: What Does A Morning-After Pill Do To Your Body?

Could It Be A Breakthrough In Male Contraception?

Male contraceptive options that are currently available include just condoms and vasectomy. Other experimental methods include hormonal pills, gels and long-acting treatments. Many require regular use and can take weeks to affect fertility.

An on-demand pill could offer an instant method for preventing unwanted pregnancy by allowing men to use the drug around the time they have sex, provided the future trials prove it is safe and effective.

“I hope someday family planning becomes a shared responsibility where men or couples can go to the local pharmacy to get male contraceptives,” Levin said. “This gives couples another option to discuss what is best for them.”

US President Donald Trump’s former daughter-in-law Vanessa Trump recently revealed that she is now cancer-free.

The former wife of Donald Trump Jr also shared the early signs of the disease she experienced before getting diagnosed. The 48-year-old is now undergoing surgery and radiation.

Vanessa Trump Reveals Early Signs Before Breast Cancer Diagnosis

In an interview with her daughter, Kai Trump and radiologist Dr Nicole Saphier for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Vanessa said that she was unusually exhausted for months before getting diagnosed in April 2026. She said that even normal activities in her routine would leave her spent.

“I would love to go and get my Starbucks, and then two hours later, I would feel exhausted,” she said.

Vanessa also said she experienced constant arm pain for several months before noticing something in her left breast

She was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, a common form of breast cancer in which cancer cells surface in the milk ducts and spread into breast tissue.

Vanessa underwent a lumpectomy to remove the tumour, followed by three courses of radiation treatment. In an update shared in October, she said a recent breast MRI came back clear. “I'm finally cancer-free,” she said.

Vanessa shared that she will need regular scans in the coming years to monitor her health.

Also read: Jessie J 'Healing' After 2nd Breast Reconstruction Surgery: Why Some Patients Need Multiple Procedures

Is Extreme Fatigue An Early Sign Of Breast Cancer?

Fatigue is a symptom of various health conditions, but it can also occur in people with cancer. Fatigue related to cancer may feel more intense than normal tiredness and may not improve with adequate sleep or rest.

However, just fatigue is not a reliable sign of breast cancer. It can be due to various other causes like anaemia, thyroid disorders, sleep problems, infections, stress and other medical conditions.

Vanessa's diagnosis puts focus on the importance of paying attention to unusual changes in the body, especially when they occur alongside other symptoms.

Also read: Breast Cancer Awareness Day: Experts Explain Most Overlooked Breast Changes That Can Delay Diagnosis In Men

Breast Cancer Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

Breast cancer does not present in the same way in everyone. Some people may notice a lump, while others experience changes in the breast or surrounding areas like armpits or arms. Warning signs of breast cancer include:

• New lump or thickening sensation: A lump in the breast or underarm that feels different from the surrounding tissue.
• Changes in breast size or shape: Newfound edema or a change in appearance of the breast is also a sign.
• Changes in skin: Dimpling, puckering, redness or skin that resembles the texture of an orange peel.
• Nipple changes: A newly inverted nipple, unusual discharge, or changes in the skin around the nipple.
• Stubborn pain: Ongoing pain in the breast or underarm that is unusual for the individual.
• Arm pain: Arm pain is not a typical breast cancer symptom. But unexplained pain, especially accompanied with changes in breast, warrants medical assessment.

Dr Saphier emphasised that breast cancer can present differently from one person to another. “When it comes to breast cancer, it's not one size fits all. It feels different for everyone,” she said.

A person should not wait for a lump to become large or painful. Anyone who notices a new breast lump, nipple change, or changes in skin should consult a healthcare professional.

Screening mammograms can help detect breast cancer before symptoms appear, but the appropriate screening schedule depends on age, risk and local guidelines. prioritise their health and seek timely checks.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, yet sex-specific cardiovascular risks often go unrecognized.

Four medical societies — the American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine — have issued new guidance to help clinicians identify these risks early and improve heart health in women and girls.

The guidance highlights heavy periods, irregular menstrual cycles and pregnancy complications as potential indicators of cardiovascular risk. It also introduces a “Female Life Stages” framework to guide prevention from puberty through menopause and beyond.

“Women experience their health care across clinical specialties, but it often is fragmented or disconnected,” said Sadiya S. Khan, chair of the collaborative writing group and professor of cardiovascular epidemiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

What Does The New Guidance Include?

Also read: This Common Heart Attack Risk Starts Silently In Healthy People In Their 20s

Progress in preventing cardiovascular deaths among women has stalled over the past two decades. The new framework identifies four life stages as opportunities for early risk detection and prevention.

• Perimenarche (ages 8–15): The transition around the first menstrual period.
• Ovarian cycling (ages 15–44): The stage when regular ovulatory and hormonal cycles are established.
• Perimenopause (ages 45–51): The transition marked by irregular cycles and hormonal changes.
• Postmenopause (age 51 onward): The years after menopause, defined as 12 months after the final menstrual period.

Pregnancy, at any stage, is also described as a biological “stress test” that can reveal previously unrecognized cardiovascular risks.

Women's Heart Risks: Heavy Periods And Irregular Cycles

The guidance recognizes menstrual patterns as a female-specific vital sign. Heavy or irregular bleeding may indicate cardiovascular risk, including risks associated with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Women's Heart Risks: Perimenopause And Postmenopause

Read More: 100% Blockage At 18, 25% Patients Under 40: On World Heart Day, Cardiologists Reveal An Alarming Heart Attack Pattern

Changes in cholesterol and metabolic health during perimenopause may signal rising cardiovascular risk. Early identification and preventive action may help reduce future risk.

The years after menopause can also account for up to 40% of a woman’s lifetime. Most heart attacks, strokes and heart failure events occur during this stage, according to the guidance. More than 80% of these events are considered preventable through early action.

Women's Heart Risks: Pregnancy Complications And Mental Health

Anxiety, depression and eating disorders can contribute to poorer cardiovascular health. The framework urges clinicians to consider psychosocial factors alongside hormonal and cardiovascular health.

High blood pressure, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age infants and stillbirth are recognized as female-specific cardiovascular risk enhancers.

The 2026 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology cholesterol guideline also includes pregnancy-related factors in cardiovascular risk assessment.

Only about 60% of U.S. women with high blood pressure-related pregnancy complications receive follow-up care for their blood pressure within six months of delivery. The collaborating societies are calling for action to close this gap and ensure cardiovascular risks identified during pregnancy receive continued attention.

Need For Dedicated Women's Heart Care Centers

The societies propose a national network of Comprehensive Centers of Excellence for Women’s Cardiovascular Care, focused on clinical care, professional education, research and community engagement.

They also call for greater inclusion of women in research, increased funding for women’s health and better translation of evidence into clinical practice.