The World Health Organization (WHO) Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation (TobReg), which is mandated to provide the WHO Director General with scientifically sound and evidence-based recommendations about tobacco product regulation, published an advisory note to address the reduction of dependence potential of manufactured cigarettes by reducing their nicotine content to levels that cannot cause or sustain addiction. TobReg stated that no specific amount of nicotine has yet been identified as the absolute threshold for addiction, and yet TobReg recommends reducing nicotine levels to at least 0.4 mg/g of cigarette tobacco filler.

The purpose of this presentation is to examine different approaches to address the reduction of nicotine content in leaf tobacco and the expected impact these could have on leaf production.

Varying degrees of nicotine reduction in the leaf can be achieved through cultural practices, modification of the plant’s genome, and through the removal of nicotine from the leaf after harvest. The modified cultural practices approach has an impact on the yield and the value of the leaf and consequently on the income of the farmers. The genetics approach may take several years to achieve a plant which meets the nicotine target, is adapted to the growing conditions of different countries, and may also have legal implications. The nicotine removal approach will likely result in tobacco material which cannot be directly used in cigarettes, as well as negatively impact tobacco’s natural flavour. Further discussion should take place so that proposed regulations can be realistically achieved and practical to implement, and not negatively impact tobacco farmers’ income.