It's been a puzzle forever, not just 200 years.

Scientists:

Tobacco plants can be used in biotechnology as platforms for producing vaccines or other pharmaceutical products, but it is plagued by the presence of nicotine which contaminates the products and requires processing to remove it.

Companies:

Tomacco!!!

Was it photosynthesis?

I’ll bet that was it.

The biggest win here would be if we could develop low-nicotene tobacco to help people quit smoking.

From the article/saved you a click:
"The team, which included researchers from the University of Copenhagen, discovered that nicotine is initially formed attached to a glucose molecule, which is added to give its building blocks the energy boost they need to snap together. However, the glucose is removed at the final step, appearing to vanish. This hidden step explains why the mystery endured for so long"

Tobacco spread, less than 90% tobacco lol

Nicotine is removed from tobacco before it is reintroduced in a controlled way during cigarette manufacturing. This creates a consistent dose per cigarette.

Lower nicotine tobacco is not needed.

I see what you're saying, but if you time yourself completing an actual puzzle, do you include the time before you even buy the puzzle?