Company | PMI Survey: 60% of U.S. Voters Support a “New Path” for Tobacco Control, Backing Policies that Encourage Switching to Lower-Risk Alternatives

Key Points

• Majority favors reform: 74% (pre-election) and 75% (post-election) say “substantive reform of the FDA” is needed to better serve public health goals.
• Support for a new path: 63%–68% agree that “to reduce smoking rates, a new approach is needed beyond just higher taxes and restrictions.”
• Encouraging switching to authorized alternatives: 50%–54% support policies that encourage smokers to move to FDA-authorized non-combustible products.
• Access and taxation: 62%–68% support adult smokers having access to a variety of lower-risk alternatives; for products “authorized by the FDA and with potentially lower risks than cigarettes,” 56%–61% favor lower tax rates than for cigarettes (while still preventing youth use).
• FDA image and awareness: Only about 36% approve of the FDA’s performance in regulating tobacco and novel nicotine products; roughly half of respondents even know that the FDA authorizes new nicotine products.

2Firsts, September 3, 2025 — PMI’s website article, “U.S. voters broadly support a new approach to tobacco regulation,” reports that U.S. likely voters are generally critical of the FDA’s recent handling of public health and tobacco regulation and broadly favor “a new path through reform.” That path includes policies to encourage adult smokers to switch to FDA-authorized, lower-risk, non-combustible alternatives (e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, etc.).

The article also notes that two nationwide surveys—one pre-election and one post-election—were made available for public download at the bottom of the page to support these conclusions.

Consistent signals from the two national polls

On whether “new approaches beyond just higher taxes and restrictions” are needed to reduce smoking, 68% agreed in the pre-election survey and 63% in the post-election survey, both indicating majority support for a “new path.” Meanwhile, 54% (pre) and 50% (post) support “policies encouraging smokers to switch to FDA-authorized alternatives.”

Regarding access to non-combustible options for adult smokers, support was 68% (pre) and 62% (post). On tax design, 61% (pre) and 56% (post) favor lower tax rates for products “authorized by the FDA and with potentially lower risks than cigarettes,” while still discouraging use by minors and non-smokers.

Approval of the FDA’s regulatory performance stands at roughly 36%, comparable to or lower than the share who disapprove (about 42%–45%). As for awareness of the FDA’s role, only around half of respondents knew that the FDA authorizes new nicotine products in the pre-election survey.

Public health priorities and issue attention

The polls also show the public ranking “improving mental-health services, promoting healthy eating and exercise, and reducing cigarette smoking” as top public health priorities (pre-election: mental health 86%, healthy eating & exercise 71%, reducing cigarette smoking 61%).

Methodology and funding disclosure

Each survey sampled 2,000 respondents nationwide, with a margin of error of ±2.2%. Field dates were June 10–13, 2024 (pre-election) and November 13–17, 2024 (post-election). Sampling used online panels with SMS invitations, in English and Spanish. Respondents were 2024 general-election voters or likely voters (all aged 21+). Both surveys were fully funded by PMI.