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.

South Carolina, which saw the largest measles outbreak in the United States in decades, has declared the outbreak over, state health officials announced.

The development comes as US cases reach 1,792, raising concerns about the country losing its measles elimination status achieved in 2000.

On Monday, health officials in South Carolina marked 42 days without new measles cases, confirming the outbreak that began in Spartanburg County last October has ended. There were nearly 1,000 confirmed cases over six months, including at least 21 hospitalizations.

On the upside, the outbreak led to a significant uptake in the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations. The state said 81,096 MMR vaccinations were given overall statewide, up 31.3 per cent from the previous year.

According to the public health experts, the increasing vaccination coverage played a significant role in helping to get the outbreak under control.

In a statement at the end of the outbreak, South Carolina’s Department of Public Health’s Interim Agency Director, Edward Simmer, said that there was a 93.6 percent increase in MMR vaccinations during the outbreak.

The MMR vaccine is highly effective. One dose prevents the disease about 93 per cent of the time, and two doses raise that protection to 97 per cent.

“Vaccination – combined with other opportunities for good, solid public health work – really can be effective, even against some of the most contagious viruses,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, deputy director and chief medical officer with the South Carolina Department of Public Health, CNN reported.

Notably, unvaccinated school-age children were the most affected by this outbreak, with 95.3 per cent of case-patients unvaccinated and 90.8 per cent of cases in children 17 years old and younger, CIDRAP news reported.

Spartanburg County recorded 940 cases (94 per cent), followed by Greenville County with 36 and Anderson County with eight cases. Pickens, Lancaster, Cherokee, and Sumter counties each had a handful of cases.

A total of 33 schools had measles exposures, and seven public school districts were affected. Over the course of six months, 874 students were asked to quarantine.

US Measles Tally Nears 1,800

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) latest weekly update, the US saw 44 new measles cases, one more than the 43 new cases confirmed the previous week. The national total now stands at 1,792 cases.

In 2026, 22 new outbreaks have been reported, and 93 per cent of confirmed cases are outbreak-associated.

While there have been no deaths in 2026 from measles, six percent of case-patients (101 of 1,792) have been hospitalized this year in the US.

South Carolina also reported an additional measles case this month. However, it was determined not to be associated with the broader outbreak, but the single case exposed more than 40 people.

Utah reported five more cases in the past week, bringing the state total to 410 for 2026. Arizona has seven more cases, raising the 2026 total to 85. The four most recent cases came from Maricopa County.

This week, the Pan American Health Organization is urging regional leaders to increase MMR vaccination rates in member countries. Several countries in the Americas, including Canada, Mexico, and the United States, are seeing a measles resurgence.

“The re-emergence of measles in the Americas is a significant setback, but one that is entirely reversible and demands decisive action,” PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said in a press statement.

Health authorities in Kerala have sounded an alarm following five suspected cases of West Nile fever (WNF) in Ernakulam.

The cases were reported from Elanji, Eroor in Thripunithura, Pallikkara in Kizhakkambalam, Ponekkara in Edappally, and Palluruthy, The Hindu reported.

While the cases are yet to be ascertained, the southern state of India has a prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases during the summer months.

“We haven’t received any confirmation of WNF cases. These are suspected cases and can be confirmed only after tests are carried out," Dr. R. Shahirsha, District Medical Officer (DMO), Ernakulam, was quoted as saying.

Notably, the authorities have sent the samples for testing, and results will be available in 14 days.

"While no cluster has been observed, precautionary measures to prevent mosquito breeding need to be implemented,” Dr Shahirsha said. Keeping canals clean and preventing mosquito breeding inside homes and in surrounding areas are critical steps, the authorities said.

What is West Nile Fever

The disease is spread through mosquito bites, and most who get infected do not have any symptoms. However, one in every five infected people has a fever, headache, body aches, and other flu-like symptoms.

The West Nile virus also infects the nervous system and is capable of causing serious brain or spinal cord inflammation.

According to the WHO, West Nile Virus is a member of the flavivirus genus and belongs to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae.

The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on birds that carry the virus in their blood, and then bite humans and infect them.

It is found in different parts of the world, including North America, Europe, Africa, Central Asia, Australia, and Asia. Cases in 49 states in the US have been reported, and the total number of symptomatic cases in the US is 51,000 since the first cases were detected in the country in 1999.

What Are The Symptoms?

The symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, rash around the chest and back, swollen lymph nodes, sore throats, and pain behind the eyes.

In severe cases, individuals may have an intense headache, high fever, stiff neck, making you unable to move your chin towards your chest, confusion, muscle weakness, loss of control over your muscle movements, seizures, paralysis, and coma.

How Can It Spread?

While the mosquitoes that feed on infected birds are the carriers, there is still a lack of evidence to determine whether it comes directly from the birds. The incubation period for symptoms to show up is two to six days, but it can extend to 14 days, too.

It can be transmitted from a pregnant person to their fetus, through human milk, blood transfusion, and organ transplant. People who are over the age of 60, have cancer, diabetes, or high blood pressure are more prone to the virus.

Why Is It called West Nile Fever?

It gets its name from the West Nile district, where it was first discovered in 1937 in Uganda.

Treatment

There are no treatments or antiviral medications available for it. However, you can treat the mild symptoms at home with over-the-counter medications that you take for a cold or the flu. The best way to prevent is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

In a landmark deal, India and New Zealand today signed the India- New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (IN- NZ FTA).

The Agreement was signed by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

The FTA will not only strengthen India’s global economic partnerships but also boost strategic opportunities for the medical devices sector, as well as the country's traditional medicine sector.

In a post on social media platform X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the agreement’s "role in promoting traditional knowledge systems, including AYUSH, yoga and organic products, positioning them for greater global relevance".

"The FTA broadens its scope to agriculture productivity, organics, services, mobility, Ayush, and pharma access, making the opportunities all-inclusive and future-oriented," added Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal.

What The FTA Brings To India

For the first time, New Zealand has facilitated trade in Ayurveda, yoga, and other traditional medicine services with India. This landmark provision promotes the global recognition of India’s AYUSH systems, supports medical value travel, and encourages collaboration in wellness services, according to an official statement.

It also reinforces India’s position as a global hub for health, wellness, and traditional medicine services. It gives centre stage to India’s AYUSH disciplines (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Sowa-Rigpa, Siddha, and Homeopathy) alongside Maori Health practices.

In a major breakthrough, the FTA streamlines access for pharmaceuticals and medical devices by enabling acceptance of GMP and GCP inspection reports from comparable regulators, including approvals by the US FDA, EMA, UK MHRA, Health Canada, and other comparable regulators.

"These will reduce duplicative inspections, lower compliance costs, and expedite product approvals, thereby facilitating smoother market access and supporting growth of India’s pharmaceutical and medical devices exports to New Zealand," it added.

What Are The Industry Leaders Saying?

The experts hailed the India–New Zealand FTA, calling it a strategic opportunity for the medical devices sector.

"For the healthcare and MedTech sector, the agreement is particularly consequential. A dedicated annex on pharmaceuticals and medical devices creates expedited regulatory pathways, with New Zealand agreeing to recognize GMP and GCP inspection reports from the US FDA, the EU’s EMA, and the UK’s MHRA—reducing duplicative compliance burdens and accelerating product approvals for Indian manufacturers," said Pavan Choudary, Chairman, Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI), in a statement.

"A separate annex on health services and traditional medicine opens structured avenues for medical value travel, digital health, and evidence-based AYUSH, positioning India not merely as a goods exporter, but as a global wellness and healthcare services hub," he added.

Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Devices Industry (AiMeD), also welcomed the India-New Zealand FTA and said that the reduced tariffs and streamlined regulatory cooperation will boost exports.

It will also "enable technology partnerships, and support affordable access to quality devices. The pact enhances competitiveness for Indian manufacturers while ensuring resilient supply chains and mutual recognition standards, strengthening India’s position as a global MedTech hub," Nath added.

However, Choudary cited that there is a significant gap. He cited that the FTA’s regulatory recognition framework does not yet include India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

"As India’s pharmaceutical and MedTech industry grows in scale, quality, and global reach, the CDSCO is rapidly maturing into a credible, reference-class regulator. Its inclusion in such bilateral recognition frameworks is not a diplomatic nicety; it is a commercial and strategic imperative. Future trade agreements, and indeed revisions to this one, must correct this omission," the expert said.