Why Governments Prefer Cigarette Revenue over Safer Alternatives
December 19, 2025 by brownstone.org
Why Governments Prefer Cigarette Revenue over Safer Alternatives
The POUCH Act of 2024 would prevent states and cities from banning FDA-authorized lower-risk nicotine products like pouches and vapes, asserting that products deemed appropriate for public health should not be prohibited for political or fiscal reasons. Though modest, the bill represents a rare move toward more rational federal harm-reduction policy. At the same time, it highlights deeper systemic problems in U.S. nicotine regulation, including the protection of cigarette sales, government revenue interests, and regulatory barriers that disadvantage smaller innovators.
