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 UK Parliament has passed a “landmark bill” to ban smoking among children who were born on or after 1 January 2009.

Under the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill, people aged 17 or younger face a lifelong ban on buying cigarettes.

Both the House of Commons and Lords settled on a final draft of the legislation that aims to create a smoke-free generation.

Once it gets the royal assent, ministers will be able to regulate tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products, including their flavors as well as packaging.

“This afternoon marks the end of this bill’s journey throughout parliament. It is a landmark bill; it will create a smoke-free generation,” Health minister Baroness Merron told the House of Lords on Monday.

“It is, in fact, the biggest public health intervention in a generation, and I can assure all noble Lords it will save lives.”

Noting that the Bill “does upset a great many people in that industry”, including retailers", Lord Naseby, a Conservative former MP, called for "a proper understanding of how we educate people not to take up smoking”.

What Is The Tobacco and Vapes Bill

It was first proposed by former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak On 4 October 2023 at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. He shared plans to phase out cigarette smoking in the UK by raising the minimum age to purchase cigarettes from 18 each year, every year, until eventually no person can legally buy cigarettes. A similar proposal was made by the Labour Party earlier that year.

Plans for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, legislation implementing such a ban, were announced in the King's Speech during the 2023 State Opening of Parliament.

The bill passed its first reading on 20 March 2024 and its second reading on 16 April 2024.

Also read: Banning Tobacco Can Save 1.2 million Lives By 2095

On 24 October 2024, the new government announced a ban on the sale of single use vapes, effective from June 2025, in an effort to address environmental concerns and the rising prevalence of vaping among children.

Under the new Bill,

• It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009
• It restricts advertising and sales of nicotine products. This includes a ban on selling vapes to anyone under 18 and selling them through vending machines.
• The bill also allows the regulation of vaping products
• The Bill expands smoke-free areas to include playgrounds and locations near schools and hospitals.

Also read: UK Bans Disposable Vape: Will This Really Stop Young People And Reduce Waste?

How Does Smoking Kill?

Smoking is the most common risk factor and the single biggest cause of preventable death for a host of diseases, ranging from respiratory diseases to tuberculosis to cancer.

Smoking damages the human body and causes

• stillbirths,
• asthma,
• heart disease,
• stroke
• Dementia
• lung cancer
• other cancers.

People use aluminium foil as a common cooking tool and food storage solution, which studies show to be safe for most people when used occasionally. The proper method of use determines whether it functions as the best solution for storing food over extended periods. People can store dry, uncooked items in foil because it creates fewer safety risks than keeping reactive foods for extended periods. Ms Aditi Prasad Apte, Senior Clinical Nutritionist at Aster RV Hospital, Bangalore, in an interview with Health and Me, spoke about the dangers of storing food in aluminium foil. The expert also shared alternatives that are safer and can be helpful.

What happens when you store food in aluminium foil?

People who eat food processed with aluminium may ingest small amounts of aluminium through their meals. The likelihood of this occurrence increases when particular conditions exist, which include using food that contains heat, acid, salt, or strong spices. These include tomatoes, citrus, vinegar, and strongly flavoured foods. Heat increases the transfer, which means that wrapping hot food directly in foil produces higher transfer rates than covering leftovers for short periods. One should understand that storing hot food in foil can create food safety issues because of aluminium contamination.

How does storing food in aluminium foil affect the kidneys?

The use of foil creates an incomplete airtight seal, which results in insufficient cooling and creates unsafe storage conditions when food remains at dangerous temperatures for extended periods. The health risks connected to long-term excessive aluminium exposure have remained a topic of scientific discussion for many years. The bodies of healthy people process and remove aluminium consumed through food mainly via the kidneys.

People who have kidney problems must handle aluminium exposure with special caution. Research has studied the links between high aluminium exposure and neurological and bone problems, but has found no proof that using foil for daily activities leads to these medical issues. The larger issue requires people to take steps to reduce their exposure to unnecessary risks whenever possible.

Are there any safer alternatives?

Safer alternatives for routine storage include glass containers, stainless steel containers, ceramic storage, and food-grade silicone options. These products provide specific benefits for storing hot leftovers, acidic foods, and items that need to be kept in refrigerators for extended periods. Parchment paper may also be a better barrier than foil in some cooking situations.

There are also several myths worth clarifying. Some people believe that aluminium foil contains harmful substances that make it unsafe to use. Normal, occasional use is not the same as dangerous exposure. Another myth is that foil always reacts with food; in reality, reaction risk depends heavily on the type of food, temperature, and duration of contact.

The fact is that foil works better for wrapping food and providing temporary coverage than it does as a standard storage method. The best approach requires people to use aluminium foil appropriately in cooking situations. People should not store acidic or hot food in foil for extended periods, and they should not consume food that has come into contact with damaged foil. The safest approach for regular home use is to use foil only when necessary, while understanding which materials work better in specific situations.

With the launch of generic versions of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, the demand for these weight loss and diabetes medications is skyrocketing in India. Amid the rising demand, there is also a surge of counterfeit jabs—often sold through unregulated online vendors—that can endanger lives.

According to a Reuters report, Indian drug regulators have seized more than 260 suspected counterfeit pens of Eli Lilly's popular obesity and diabetes drug Mounjaro, worth Rs 7 million, ‌from the northern state of Haryana.

The suspected fake pens were recovered from a vehicle on the outskirts of New Delhi, and were kept under improper temperature conditions and appeared in different font sizes compared with the original product, which ⁠raised suspicion of being counterfeit.

The Haryana Food and Drug Control Administration has also arrested two people accused of making and selling the drugs. The primary accused did not have a pharmaceutical license and made the products at a private property, Drug Control Officer Amandeep Chauhan told Reuters. They had ordered peptides used in the drugs and other raw materials from vendors on the Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba.

The arrested duo also sold the pens on the online marketplace IndiaMART at a 27 per cent discount to the original drug's price, ⁠Chauhan said.

While samples have been sent to government-run laboratories for confirmation, Eli Lilly and Company (India) spokesperson issued a statement welcoming the action against illicit medicines.

Noting that it "takes patient safety extremely seriously", the company stated that it's "actively supporting the investigation and will continue to work with regulatory and law enforcement authorities worldwide to protect patients from the risks of counterfeit products".

Also read: Lehengas, Diets & Now Mounjaro: The New Must-Have For Indian Brides?

Can Fake Ozempic/Mounjaro Pens Turn Dangerous?

The short answer: extremely. The risks go far beyond inefficacy. Some fake jabs contain:

• Insulin – Can dangerously drop blood sugar, leading to seizures or coma.
• Toxic substances – Seized products have been found to contain mercury, cement, and rat poison.
• Bacteria – Due to non-sterile production environments, leading to infections.
• Wrong or mixed medications – Including none of the intended drug at all.

Read More: Can Weight Loss Jabs Surge Divorce Rates? What Experts Are Saying

How To Identify Counterfeit Ozempic/ Mounjaro Pens?

Counterfeit products may have

• spelling errors,
• instruction leaflets not in English,
• unsealed packaging,
• changes in the size, shape, or appearance of medicine

These are indicators that the medicine has not been produced by the original manufacturer or is being illegally sold in the wrong market.

Further, counterfeit drugs are often sold on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or salon backrooms.

Also read: India To Strictly Inspect GLP-1 Drugs To Curb Misuse: Govt Flags Risks Amid Weight-loss Hype

Another major lure of counterfeit Ozempic/Mounjaro is the price tag—black-market versions are often heavily discounted. But remember: this comes at the cost of your health, safety, and potentially, your life.

If you’re unsure about a product, consult your pharmacist or primary care provider. Always ensure that any medication you take has been prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider and obtained from a licensed source.