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.

The NHS in England today announced that 100 pharmacies will offer free cholesterol check-ups beginning this autumn.

The initiative is part of an NHS drive to reduce heart disease and stroke deaths by a quarter over the next decade. It will include free finger-prick blood tests for cholesterol on the high street for the first time.

Who Is Eligible?

People aged 40 to 84 who are not pregnant and have not had a blood test in the past year will be eligible to walk in and get tested.

Eligible people will also be offered a blood pressure check as part of a clinical consultation with a pharmacist prescriber.

The NHS pilot will run until spring 2027.

How Will The Test Be Conducted?

Blood will be taken from a person’s fingertip using a lancet — a small, sharp medical tool used to prick the skin — and analyzed immediately. A pharmacist prescriber can then provide lifestyle advice and determine whether any treatment, such as statins, may be needed.

Patients will receive a copy of their results by email. They will also be offered a blood pressure check as part of a clinical consultation with a pharmacist prescriber.

How Will It Help?

The national rollout follows a successful smaller pilot in north London, which tested 2,493 patients at 61 community pharmacies between January 2025 and March 2026.

Nearly one in five patients were found to be suitable for pharmacological intervention, and 88 people started taking statins.

David Webb, the chief pharmaceutical officer for England, said pharmacies could be a vital first line of defense against serious illness.

He said: “By making it easier for people to get a quick and convenient cholesterol health check on their local high street, we can spot ticking timebombs earlier, helping people take action, and prevent heart attacks and strokes before they happen.

“This is the latest in a series of initiatives involving pharmacies in delivering care previously only offered in GP surgeries as part of the 10-year health plan to bring care closer to where people live.”

Will This Be Scaled Up?

In the first phase of the national rollout, about 100 NHS pharmacies across England will begin offering the checks from this autumn.

Dr Rani Khatib, NHS England’s national specialty adviser for cardiovascular disease prevention, said everyone should strive to be aware of the most common risk factors for heart disease, including high cholesterol and blood pressure, and “know their numbers”.

“This initiative will help people manage their risk factors earlier and reduce their risk of having heart attacks or strokes,” he said.

Alison McGovern, a health minister, said it was “exactly the type of innovation” she wanted to see across the NHS.

“We’re making it easier for people to spot potential problems earlier and take action to protect their health,” she said.

“Early detection can help prevent serious conditions such as heart attacks and strokes, helping people stay healthier for longer while reducing pressure on NHS services.”

How Does High Cholesterol Raise Heart Risks?

Too much LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in the blood can build up inside artery walls. Over time, these fatty deposits — called plaque or atheroma — can make arteries narrower and restrict blood flow, according to the NHS.

High cholesterol usually causes no symptoms, which is why testing is important. Cholesterol can be reduced through healthier eating and regular exercise and, for people at sufficient risk, medicines such as statins.

Amid declining childhood vaccination rates and an anti-vaccine push from the government, the US is reporting a significant uptick in measles cases in three more states.

The states include Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Georgia. Pennsylvania has also reported two deaths, including an Amish newborn, marking 2026’s first measles-related deaths in the country.

• Pennsylvania

Two unvaccinated individuals, including a newborn infant, died, marking the first measles-associated deaths in the state in 35 years.

• Wisconsin

• Georgia

Also read: Measles: Infant Among Two Unvaccinated Deaths Reported In US

Measles Cases Surging In The US

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2,903 confirmed cases had been reported nationwide as of August 27, threatening the US measles-elimination status held since 2000.

About 94% of cases are among unvaccinated people, and children under 5 account for 19% of cases.

This is the highest number of cases reported since the major resurgence between 1989 and 1991, when 55,000 infections and 123 deaths were recorded.

In comparison, for the full year 2025, the country reported 2,289 cases and three deaths.

While two doses of the MMR vaccine are key to preventing measles, the highly contagious virus, the first MMR dose is recommended at 12 to 15 months, followed by a second dose at 4 to 6 years.

The anti-vaccine stance promoted by the Trump-led US government and HHS Secretary RFK Jr. comes as cases are spiraling. More recently, Trump also announced a split of the MMR vaccine.

What Is the First Sign of Measles Infection?

Measles is a serious and highly contagious illness that can be particularly dangerous for babies and young children. The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated.

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and others from this dangerous disease.

Measles is more than just a simple rash and can lead to severe health problems and, in some cases, death.

The first signs of measles often mimic a common cold. These initial symptoms include a high fever that can reach over 104°F, a persistent cough, a runny nose, and red, watery eyes.

These symptoms can be misleading, but their combination is a key indicator of the onset of measles.

A distinctive sign of measles is the appearance of tiny white spots, called Koplik spots, inside the mouth. These spots typically develop two to three days after the initial symptoms begin.

Their presence is an important diagnostic clue, often appearing before the characteristic measles rash.

What Does a Measles Rash Look Like?

A rash appears three to five days after the initial symptoms. It usually starts as flat red spots on the face, near the hairline, and then spreads downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.

The spots can sometimes be slightly raised and may merge. When the rash appears, the fever may also increase significantly.

Who Is Most at Risk?

While measles can be serious for anyone, certain groups are at a higher risk of developing complications. These include:

• Children younger than 5 years old
• Adults older than 20 years old
• Pregnant women
• People with weakened immune systems due to conditions like leukemia or HIV

A chemistry lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was shut down and subjected to hazardous-material testing after a graduate student revealed that they may have synthesised dimethylmercury, an extremely toxic form of organic mercury.

The student went to an emergency department after reporting the possible exposure. MIT said the student was not authorised to work with dimethylmercury and that the chemical was not part of their research.

Since the incident, Building 18 has been closed for testing and decontamination, while precautionary cleaning has also been carried out in the student's residence hall.

Even though the student remained under medical supervision, MIT later said that the student's initial blood test showed no sign of mercury exposure. So, why did a slight possibility of this chemical trigger such a major response?

What Exactly Is Dimethylmercury?

Unlike some toxic substances that mainly become dangerous when swallowed or inhaled, dimethylmercury can be absorbed through the skin. Its exposure routes include inhalation, ingestion and absorption through skin. Additionally, its ability to pass through protective materials is one reason laboratory safety experts have historically treated it with extreme caution.

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration says dimethylmercury is “readily absorbed through the skin” and warns that a severe toxic dose can involve less than 0.1 mL of the liquid.

Also read: AC Becomes ‘Must-Have’ For Offices As London Faces Fifth Heatwave; Here’s Why It Still Raises Dehydration Risk

Even Tiny Amounts Of Dimethylmercury Can Be Extremely Dangerous

The danger comes partly from the molecule's physical and chemical properties. Dimethylmercury is lipid-soluble to break biological barriers and enter the body efficiently. Once absorbed, mercury can ultimately reach the nervous system and cause severe and irreversible neurological damage.

It is also extremely volatile, meaning its exposure is not limited to direct skin contact. It can also generate toxic vapour that one may inhale and get poisoned. Once poisoned, the effects can be deceptive because symptoms may not appear immediately.

That delay can make even a minor exposure especially dangerous as the person may not realise they have been poisoned until significant neurological damage has occurred.

Also read: How To Get Rid Of Heavy Metals In Your Body?

Mercury Attacks The Nervous System

Dimethylmercury is even more dangerous as it is capable to enter the body efficiently, producing delayed neurological toxicity.

Researchers and safety authorities therefore treat even a slight exposure as an emergency rather than waiting for symptoms to develop.

Historic Mercury Poisoning Case Of 1996

The chemical's notorious reputation was further cemented after the death of Karen Wetterhahn, a chemistry professor at Dartmouth College.

In 1996, Wetterhahn accidentally spilled a very small amount of dimethylmercury onto her gloved hand. At the time, she was wearing latex gloves that were considered adequate laboratory protection. But the chemical penetrated the gloves and was absorbed through her skin.

Months later, she developed neurological symptoms including problems with balance and speech. She was diagnosed with severe mercury poisoning and died in 1997.

The case led laboratories to reconsider how dimethylmercury should be handled and highlighted the inadequacy of ordinary latex gloves against the chemical.