In a last-minute push, the Biden administration is advancing a plan to effectively ban traditional cigarettes by slashing nicotine levels. The proposal, aimed at reducing smoking addiction, may have unintended consequences, including encouraging smokers to consume more cigarettes to satisfy their nicotine cravings. This “compensatory smoking” could increase exposure to harmful chemicals like tar, undermining the policy’s intended health benefits.

Additionally, the measure could discourage smokers from seeking safer alternatives, such as vaping or nicotine replacement therapies, as it removes higher-nicotine options from the market. Critics argue that the government is overstepping by regulating personal choices, potentially making it harder for smokers to quit while limiting their options.

As the administration pushes forward with the plan, experts warn of the risks and unintended effects of such a policy.