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.

Audrey Leishman, wife of professional golfer Marc Leishman, initially believed she was suffering from the flu after developing common flu-like symptoms. However, her condition rapidly worsened and was later diagnosed as sepsis, a life-threatening medical emergency.

The Virginia woman nearly lost her life, spending 10 days in the intensive care unit (ICU). Following the ordeal, she faced a long recovery and had to relearn how to walk, Fox News reported. Now recovered, Leishman is dedicated to raising awareness about the condition through her nonprofit organization, the Begin Again Foundation. She has also written a children's book aimed at helping families recognize the warning signs.

Symptoms Began After IUD Removal

Leishman faced the ordeal in 2015. She started experiencing symptoms of what she initially thought was an upset stomach a couple of days after having her intrauterine device (IUD) removed, according to the nonprofit Sepsis Alliance.

The next day, the mother of three said she began feeling unwell, experiencing stomach cramps and "severe pain in my right elbow and left big toe," along with a high fever, nosebleeds, diarrhea, and shortness of breath. "I could barely hold my 18-month-old son because I was so weak. My temperature was 102°F," Leishman said.

She eventually went to urgent care, where doctors initially thought she had some form of an autoimmune disease, Fox News reported. As the days went on, Leishman started to feel worse. Her fever spiked higher, and she developed severe stomach issues. "I actually thought I was going a little bit crazy … I hadn't injured myself. I was really confused as to what was going on," Leishman said.

"They took a very long time to figure out what was going wrong with me." "They kept testing me for different things," she continued. "Eventually, they admitted me, and I was in the ICU for a total of 10 days — five of which were in a medically induced coma." During this time, her temperature and heart rate were abnormally high, and her blood pressure was dangerously low.

Sepsis Led to Respiratory Failure

The sepsis ultimately developed into acute respiratory distress syndrome. "I very much remember not being able to breathe," Leishman recalled. "That was by far the scariest part. It got to the point where I had to pause between every word to take a breath, and it was basically like sipping air."

Leishman was eventually diagnosed with sepsis and toxic shock syndrome (TSS), according to Sepsis Alliance.

While she did recover, she was unable to walk, and the first year of recovery was "very difficult." "When I finally did wake up, it was quite the process of relearning how to walk again, dealing with at-home physical therapy and being on a PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter)," Leishman said.

"My immune system was so compromised that I was sick constantly," she added, noting that although she is now healthy, her memory "is not what it used to be" and that she gets fatigued more often. The original cause of her sepsis remains unclear, she said, but it may have been linked to her recent IUD removal.

Warning Signs of Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that harms the immune system, tissues, and organs. It can lead to organ failure or death if not treated urgently, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

According to Sepsis Alliance, the acronym TIME can help people recognize potential warning signs of sepsis and seek urgent medical care.

T — Temperature: Body temperature is unusually high or low.

I — Infection: Signs or symptoms of an infection are present.

M — Mental Decline: Confusion, excessive sleepiness, or difficulty waking up.

E — Extremely Ill: Severe pain, extreme discomfort, or shortness of breath.

Health authorities of the United Kingdom have confirmed that there is a confirmed case of meningitis at the University of Surrey, where a student has been infected with it. Meningitis is one of the most dangerous diseases and containing it comes first for the health authorities.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is working to provide preventative antibiotics and vaccinations for close contacts. The authorities are giving great importance to this because of the two earlier deaths in Kent this year.

Jaime Morgan, from UKHSA South East, said: "We understand that news of meningococcal infection can be concerning. However, meningococcal meningitis requires very close contact to spread." She added, "We are working closely with partners and have provided public health advice to close contacts of the case."

Morgan also said that meningococcal disease is known not to spread easily among people, thus a larger possibility of public health loss is unlikely. She also urged the students at the university to be aware of symptoms and to seek medical advice if needed.

Also Read: Why Thousands Of Black Men In The UK Are Now Being Invited For Prostate Cancer Screening?

What Is Meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes around the spinal cord and the brain. It can become very serious if not treated or diagnosed in time. It is a consequence of bacterial or viral infection. Despite being a rare occurrence, the infection can spread through coughs, sneezes, a cold, or physical contact in the form of kissing.

Understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options is important for early diagnosis and timely medical care.

Symptoms Of Meningitis

Health officials urged the public to remain alert to the warning signs of meningococcal meningitis. Common symptoms include:

• Rash
• Headache
• Neck stiffness
• Fever
• Drowsiness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Increased sensitivity to light

How is Meningitis Diagnosed?

Physicians diagnose meningitis using a combination of clinical presentation, laboratory examinations, and imaging tests. Important diagnostic tests are Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap), Blood Cultures, and Imaging (CT or MRI Scans).

Though Meningitis is not the only problem of the UKHSA now. Along with other global issues, the United Kingdom is also facing a certain rise in cases of botulism, which is a dreadful disease caused by bacteria and can cause difficulty in breathing, paralysis, and even death. According to the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), recently, two more people from Leeds have come forward with symptoms of this fatal disease.

Last week, a small number of people with symptoms of botulism presented to the National Health Service (NHS) around Leeds. These people observed botulism signs after aesthetic treatments involving botulinum toxin. After a sudden increase in patients of this dreadful disease, the authorities are on alert.

UKHSA urged people to take precautions when seeking cosmetic procedures and has advised medical staff to look out for possible botulism in people who have had recent treatments and have symptoms.

A team of UK scientists has identified 23 unique mutations in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, led by the Bundibugyo virus.

The findings, led by scientists from Imperial College London and the University of Oxford, are based on an analysis of 10 available Bundibugyo virus sequences from the Congo and Uganda associated with the current 2026 outbreak, according to Virological.org — an online discussion forum for pathogenic virus sequence data. The forum was launched in November 2014.

The sampled viruses appear to share a most recent common ancestor dating to early-to-mid March 2026, the researchers said.

"The sampled viruses are already genetically diverse. We identified 23 unique mutations across the 10 sequences," said Gina Cuomo-Dannenburg from Imperial College London and Mahan Ghafari from the University of Oxford.

"This level of diversity suggests that the sampled viruses do not represent the very beginning of transmission, but instead reflect an outbreak that had already been circulating, at least partly undetected, for several weeks before sequences became available," they added.

However, the authors noted that "this is an informal analysis and is not intended as a formal preprint or manuscript in its current form" and urged that the estimates "should be interpreted cautiously."

Ebola Cases Continue to Rise

Meanwhile, Congo said on Sunday that the number of confirmed Ebola cases had increased to 515 after 27 new samples tested positive in the previous 24 hours. The confirmed cases include 91 deaths, government data showed.

The Ministry of Health Uganda has confirmed 19 Ebola cases so far, including 14 imported from the DRC and five locally transmitted infections.

According to the World Health Organization, the latest outbreak has resulted in 516 suspected cases and 33 confirmed infections, with as many as 133 deaths reported.

CDC Warns Outbreak Could Rival 2014 Epidemic

The Ebola outbreak spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda could become more devastating than the largest Ebola epidemic in history unless containment efforts improve, according to modelling released by the US CDC.

The models, published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, showed that the current outbreak could rival the scale of the 2014 West Africa outbreak, which resulted in more than 28,000 cases and over 11,000 deaths.

"That scale is possible," said Jason Asher, director of the CDC's Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, during a press briefing.

The worst outcomes could be avoided if "a larger proportion of patients were identified, isolated, and treated," the agency said in its reports.

However, "the public health response to control this outbreak will likely need to be of similar magnitude to the response for the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak."

AI-Driven Drug Discovery

Also read: WHO Says Ebola Fight Is Catching Up; Expert Explains Science Behind Patient Recoveries

There are currently no approved treatments specifically for Bundibugyo ebolavirus, despite the existence of some antiviral therapies for other Ebola species. The rare strain is known to kill up to 40 percent of infected patients.

Scientists at the US' Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) have used AI-driven drug discovery platforms to rapidly identify and synthesize 23 antiviral candidates targeting the Bundibugyo Ebola strain currently affecting Congo.

The newly identified compounds are expected to undergo testing against the Bundibugyo virus in the coming weeks.

What Is Ebola?

Ebola is a severe and deadly disease caused by a virus mostly found in Africa. The spread of the disease happens through contact with infected body fluids.

Some symptoms can indicate a possible infection. This includes fever, headache, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, sore throat, and unexplained bleeding. This eventually leads to severe complications like bleeding, organ failure, and death.