Smoking in United States of America
In the United States of America, smoking is allowed but tobacco products should follow some regulations. Under these regulations, health warnings on tobacco packaging including cigarettes are mandatory, the minimum legal age for their sales is 21 years, and there are no federal legal restrictions on smoking in public places. While tobacco advertising is regulated, not all forms of their advertising are banned. An excise tax of 32.16% with a total taxation rate of 37.36% is applied on cigarettes. Cigarettes can legally be sold with authorised documents. They may also be purchased through vending machines as well as through online channels. Importing cigarettes for trade is allowed with an appropriate import license. Despite these control measures, prevalence data show that smoking remains an important public health issue in the United States. There were 39.8 million current smokers in the country in 2024. This represents an overall adult smoking prevalence of 14.1%, with higher prevalence among men (17.1%) than among women (11.1%). In comparison, the overall current smoking prevalence was 12.3% in 2022. The adult daily smoking prevalence was recorded to be 10.01% in 2020. Smoking-related mortality also remains significant in the country. In 2021, smoking resulted in 360,370 deaths, including 216,986 male deaths and 143,383 female deaths. This shows that smoking accounted for 10.38% of all deaths in the United States in 2021, with a higher rate among men (11.9%) than among women (8.7%).
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April 30, 2026 by regulatorwatch.com
Blind Spots | Cliff Douglas on Makary Flavor Denials | RegWatch
Concerns are growing over how decisions on flavoured vaping products are being made within the United States regulatory system. Discussion around U.S. Food and Drug Administration highlights claims that scientific evidence supporting certain products may not be fully reflected in final decisions. Experts point to potential “blind spots” in how data is interpreted, particularly when it comes to evaluating the role of flavours in helping adults switch from smoking. The debate raises questions about consistency between the agency’s scientific mandate and its regulatory outcomes. Critics argue that overly cautious or restrictive decisions could limit access to alternatives for smokers.At the same time, the controversy reflects broader tensions over how evidence, risk and public health priorities are balanced in nicotine policy.
April 27, 2026 by regulatorwatch.com
Renegade Regulator | FDA Chief Blocks White House Push for Flavors | RegWatch
Tensions are rising within the US administration over the future of flavoured nicotine products. Reports suggest that the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is resisting pressure from the White House to relax restrictions on flavours. The dispute highlights internal divisions over how to balance youth protection with harm reduction strategies. Critics argue that limiting flavoured alternatives could reduce options for adult smokers trying to switch. The situation reflects a broader struggle over how nicotine policy should be shaped and on what evidence.
April 27, 2026 by regulatorwatch.com
Renegade Regulator | FDA Chief Blocks White House Push for Flavors | RegWatch
Tensions are rising within the US administration over the future of flavoured nicotine products. Reports suggest that the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is resisting pressure from the White House to relax restrictions on flavours. The dispute highlights internal divisions over how to balance youth protection with harm reduction strategies. Critics argue that limiting flavoured alternatives could reduce options for adult smokers trying to switch. The situation reflects a broader struggle over how nicotine policy should be shaped and on what evidence.
April 27, 2026 by regulatorwatch.com
Renegade Regulator | FDA Chief Blocks White House Push for Flavors | RegWatch
Tensions are rising within the US administration over the future of flavoured nicotine products. Reports suggest that the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is resisting pressure from the White House to relax restrictions on flavours. The dispute highlights internal divisions over how to balance youth protection with harm reduction strategies. Critics argue that limiting flavoured alternatives could reduce options for adult smokers trying to switch. The situation reflects a broader struggle over how nicotine policy should be shaped and on what evidence.
April 27, 2026 by regulatorwatch.com
Renegade Regulator | FDA Chief Blocks White House Push for Flavors | RegWatch
Tensions are rising within the US administration over the future of flavoured nicotine products. Reports suggest that the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is resisting pressure from the White House to relax restrictions on flavours. The dispute highlights internal divisions over how to balance youth protection with harm reduction strategies. Critics argue that limiting flavoured alternatives could reduce options for adult smokers trying to switch. The situation reflects a broader struggle over how nicotine policy should be shaped and on what evidence.
April 24, 2026 by tobaccoreporter.com
Iowa Senate Passes 5-Cent Tax on Vapes, Nicotine Products
Lawmakers in Iowa are moving to introduce a new tax on alternative nicotine products, signaling a shift in how these categories are regulated. The proposal sets a 5-cent levy on nicotine pouches and a per-milliliter tax on e-liquids used in vaping products. The measure would apply broadly across both disposable devices and refill systems, creating a more uniform approach to taxation. Supporters argue the policy is aimed at generating funding for pediatric cancer research rather than significantly reducing usage. Critics, however, question whether such a modest tax can meaningfully influence consumer behaviour or public health outcomes.
April 23, 2026 by senate.gov
In Appropriations Hearing, Durbin Calls Out Secretary Kennedy For FDA’s Failure To Crack Down On Illegal E-Cigarettes, Vape Products
Durbin called on Secretary Kennedy to regulate illegal e-cigarette products, particularly those aimed at children. He highlighted the impact of tobacco on his family and criticized the FDA for authorizing JUUL Labs despite concerns. Durbin urged Kennedy to prioritize public health over Big Tobacco's interests, emphasizing the need to protect children from addictive substances. He questioned the proposed elimination of the CDC's Office of Smoking and Health and emphasized the importance of combating youth vaping. Durbin stressed the Tobacco Control Act's requirements for e-cigarette approval and advised against expanding their market. He shared a recent GAO report exposing the illegal sale of flavored e-cigarettes and criticized the lack of enforcement actions by FDA and DOJ.
April 23, 2026 by senate.gov
In Appropriations Hearing, Durbin Calls Out Secretary Kennedy For FDA’s Failure To Crack Down On Illegal E-Cigarettes, Vape Products
Durbin called on Secretary Kennedy to regulate illegal e-cigarette products, particularly those aimed at children. He highlighted the impact of tobacco on his family and criticized the FDA for authorizing JUUL Labs despite concerns. Durbin urged Kennedy to prioritize public health over Big Tobacco's interests, emphasizing the need to protect children from addictive substances. He questioned the proposed elimination of the CDC's Office of Smoking and Health and emphasized the importance of combating youth vaping. Durbin stressed the Tobacco Control Act's requirements for e-cigarette approval and advised against expanding their market. He shared a recent GAO report exposing the illegal sale of flavored e-cigarettes and criticized the lack of enforcement actions by FDA and DOJ.
April 17, 2026 by filtermag.org
Will the CDC Finally Abandon the Damaging Term “EVALI”?
Debates over the EVALI outbreak and its implications for vaping policy continue to resurface in public health discussions. Critics argue that regulatory and media responses to the 2019 lung injury cases contributed to widespread confusion about the actual causes of the illness. Evidence from investigations by U.S. health authorities indicated that most cases were linked to illicit THC products containing vitamin E acetate rather than nicotine vaping. Despite this, some analysts believe that the CDC’s communication approach had lasting effects on public perception of all vaping products. The issue remains central to ongoing disputes about how public health agencies should communicate risks related to emerging nicotine technologies.
April 16, 2026 by substack.com
The FDA's Quiet Blockade on Safer Nicotine — And the Lives It’s Costing
Regulation of nicotine products in the United States has created barriers for lower-risk alternatives to smoking. While cigarettes remain widely available, newer smoke-free products face strict approval processes. This imbalance may limit access to potentially less harmful options for smokers. Research suggests that allowing and promoting safer alternatives could reduce smoking-related deaths. The debate focuses on how policy decisions influence both public health outcomes and consumer choices.