President Trump's efforts to roll back Biden-era regulations on nicotine, known as the 'nicotine freedom crusade,' could potentially reverse a key rule that limited nicotine levels in tobacco products. The Biden administration had proposed a rule to make cigarettes minimally addictive by capping nicotine levels at 0.7 milligrams per gram of tobacco, a move critics argue effectively bans cigarettes. Critics of the Biden policy, including former ATF assistant director Rich Marianos and NECSEM's Peter Brennan, claim such regulations fuel illicit markets and hurt small businesses. Trump has already reversed a proposed menthol cigarette ban and removed key FDA officials behind the Biden policies, indicating his commitment to deregulating nicotine products. This approach is seen as a strategic move to bolster Trump's support among his working-class base while countering Biden's perceived 'war on nicotine'.

The Biden administration's FDA had proposed a rule to limit nicotine levels in cigarettes to make them minimally addictive, setting a cap at 0.7 milligrams per gram of tobacco, which critics argue would effectively ban cigarettes.

President Trump's 'nicotine freedom crusade' aims to reverse these Biden-era regulations, which are seen by some as hamfisted and leading to increased criminal activity in the illicit tobacco market.

Rich Marianos, former ATF assistant director, argues that Biden's tobacco policy fuels illegal markets and stifles business, advocating for Trump's deregulation efforts to refocus on vigilant law enforcement.

Peter Brennan of the NECSEM highlights the negative impact of prohibitionist tobacco policies on small businesses, suggesting that sales are pushed into the illicit market, and hopes Trump will halt such disastrous ideas.

Trump's administration has already retracted a proposed menthol cigarette ban and removed key FDA officials, signaling a continued push to dismantle restrictive nicotine policies, which experts believe will be the final blow to Biden's regulations.

The strategy behind Trump's policy shifts is to strengthen his working-class coalition by opposing Biden's perceived 'war on nicotine,' which is believed to have negatively impacted Biden's political standing.

The changes in nicotine regulation under Trump are seen as a positive step by industry advocates, with expectations of increased support from affected businesses and consumers.