# What the END ENDS Act Actually Does

This bill would cap the amount of nicotine allowed in e-cigarette liquids at 20 milligrams per milliliter—essentially making vaping devices less potent and, supporters argue, less addictive. Right now, the most popular e-cigarettes sold in the U.S. contain about three times that amount of nicotine. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage and apply to all e-liquids sold in the country, from the small pods used in popular devices to refillable vape pen cartridges.

The main reason Congress introduced this bill is concern about youth vaping. The bill's findings point out that nicotine damages developing brains—particularly the parts that control attention, learning, and impulse control—and that the brain keeps developing until around age 25. According to the bill, about 3.6 million young people use e-cigarettes, with nearly 40 percent of high school users vaping at least 20 days a month. The bill argues that highly concentrated nicotine in modern e-cigarettes is designed to be as addictive as possible, and that lowering nicotine levels would make these devices less appealing and less habit-forming for teenagers.

The bill points to other countries as evidence this approach works. The European Union, United Kingdom, and Israel have all implemented 20 milligram limits, and the bill cites data suggesting these caps didn't significantly increase how often young people vape—they just used less concentrated products. If this bill passes, e-cigarette manufacturers would need to reformulate their products to comply with the new standard. Adults who vape would still be able to use e-cigarettes, but they'd contain less nicotine per puff, meaning they'd need to take more puffs to get the same effect. The bill also gives the FDA authority to lower the nicotine cap even further if they determine that 20 milligrams is still too addictive.

END ENDS Act of 2021

Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

Ending Nicotine Dependence from Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Act of 2021 or the END ENDS Act of 2021 This bill prohibits any e-liquid from having a concentration of nicotine higher than 20 milligrams per milliliter. (An e-liquid is a liquid intended for use with an electronic nicotine delivery system such as an e-cigarette or vape pen.) The Food and Drug Administration may lower this cap to a minimally addictive or non-addictive level.