Is the FDA Finally Opening the Door to Tobacco Harm Reduction?
In 2025 and 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) appears to be shifting its stance on how it regulates nicotine and tobacco products — potentially signaling a thaw toward tobacco harm reduction (THR). This change could have implications for adults who smoke, public health policy, and how safer alternatives are evaluated and made available in the United States. While the FDA has historically taken a cautious and often restrictive approach, recent developments suggest that the agency may be moving toward a broader recognition of harm reduction strategies — including recognizing that some nicotine products are much less harmful than combustible cigarettes and can play a constructive role in reducing smoking-related disease. Filter+1 What Is Tobacco Harm Reduction? Tobacco harm reduction is a public health approach focused on reducing…




