Combustible tobacco-free cigarettes containing a nicotine analogue: a dangerous design to counter smoking regulations?
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Combustible herbal, or “non-tobacco”, cigarettes are often advertised as healthier than tobacco cigarettes and as non-addictive, due to their lack of nicotine. In May 2026, we discovered a US-based website promoting a “non-tobacco” combustible cigarette product that appears to contain a nicotine analogue. The brand name of the product is “ChoiceTM Smokes”, marketed by Signature Brands of America LLC. ChoiceTM cigarettes are sold online and locally in the US for a significantly lower price than regular tobacco cigarettes, and are available from age 18 on, younger than the age limit of 21 for tobacco sales in the US. ChoiceTM cigarettes are marketed with the slogan “No tobacco. No nicotine. No Problem”. Instead of nicotine, ChoiceTM contain a nicotine substitute named “NOVARA™”, that, according to legal documents posted by the company, appears to be 6-methyl nicotine, a poorly characterized nicotinic receptor agonist likely more potent and toxic than nicotine. The availability of products such as ChoiceTM “non-tobacco” cigarettes undermines tobacco control regulations and raise concerns about potential health and addiction risks. Legislators, regulators and tobacco control advocates need to clarify the status of nicotine analogue-containing products and allow their effective regulation with the goal of improving public health.
Source: Tobacco Control
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7172276890