Insights from the FDLI Tobacco Conference: Experts Push for Smokeless Reform 

As I sat in the audience at this year’s Food and Drug Law Institute annual tobacco conference, I witnessed Bret Koplow, Acting Director at the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, deliver far more than a standard keynote. Koplow issued a bold, transformative message from the stage: risk reduction isn’t retreating as a policy solution, it’s undeniably a path forward for many adults who still smoke. His words resonated throughout the room, signaling a pivotal shift in the conversation around tobacco policy. 
 
This wasn’t just a soundbite—it was a call to action. The conversation around smoke-free nicotine alternatives is shifting, and it’s time we all caught up.  

Let's Set the Record Straight

Far too many adults—and yes, even some healthcare professionals—still believe nicotine causes cancer. It doesn’t. The FDA itself has made the distinction with the danger coming from the smoke, not the nicotine.

If nicotine was the problem, nicotine-replacement therapies like flavored gums and patches wouldn’t be widely prescribed. And yet, they are, with many even labeled “safe” and “effective.”

Addressing misconceptions around nicotine is critical for public health. When smokers mistakenly believe all nicotine products are the same, they may stick to more harmful forms simply because they’re familiar, instead of feeling informed enough to branch out and explore other regulated smoke-free options.

The Road Ahead: Science & Policy Join Forces

The FDA has signaled it’s ready to modernize and change their approach to regulating smoke-free alternatives. Right now, they have a dual focus on (1) educating consumers and (2) enforcing safety standards with manufacturers.  
 
  • Educating consumers: Adults who smoke deserve clear information, backed by science when looking at what options they have. Think: full transparency with a spectrum of high- to low-risk products. 

  • Product safety standards with manufacturers: At the same time, the FDA is reminding manufacturers of their obligation to implement strong safeguards—especially 21+ age verification and youth access controls. We’re already ahead of the curve here with our robust age and identity process. 

A Smarter Road Towards a Shared Goal

Both regulators and responsible nicotine pouch manufacturers are united by a single, urgent mission: to reduce smoking-related harm, which currently accounts for close to half a million preventable deaths each year in the US, according to the CDC. So, the real difference isn’t in terms of what we want to achieve, but how boldly and effectively we get there.


When adults have access to transparent, science-based information and rigorously regulated alternatives, they reclaim the power to make informed choices that can truly change their lives. It's these small day-to-day decisions about which products to use—a cigarette or a pouch, for instance—that add up in the long-term fight against tobacco-related harm. 

Your Guide to Smarter Decisions

In a world where information can be overwhelming, opinions polarizing, and regulations often overly complicated, staying informed via trusted sources is the only way to help see through the clutter.


At Nicokick, we’re committed to keeping you updated and making sure you have access to clear, reliable information. This also extends to the products we sell. Every product we stock goes through a strict vetting process before it reaches you. We only partner with brands that provide documented proof of compliance with FDA guidelines and lab results. Each product is tested for accurate nicotine labeling, pH balance, and screened for contaminants—verified by independent third-party labs. If it doesn’t meet our standards, it doesn’t make it to our shelves.


Don’t let myths or mixed messages limit your choices. Seek the truth about your nicotine consumption and what smoke-free alternatives are out there. Asking questions and understanding how products are regulated, as well as what safeguards are in place, will empower you to make decisions that truly meet your needs.