Tobacco in the US commentary
Dear ProCor community,
In a recent commentary in the New England Journal of Medicine, authors Steven A. Schroeder, M.D., and Kenneth E. Warner, Ph.D., remind us that the United States has yet to solve the pressing problems regarding cigarette smoking. While America has made some progress in tobacco control, we are far from finished. Cigarette smoking is the primary cause of preventable death and disability in the United States. The prevalence of smoking has resulted in more than 8 million sick or disabled Americans and 45,000 deaths that could have been avoided. Therefore, it is imperative that we do not neglect tobacco issues or switch our focus to other public health concerns, such as rising medical costs, childhood obesity, and health care reform. If it is assumed that the tobacco war has been won and is no longer a relevant issue then Americans will continue to risk premature death.
Although more has to be done to control tobacco use, we must recognize and appreciate the recent advances that have been made to reduce cigarette smoking. Successful strategies have included: raising tobacco taxes, enforcing the clean indoor air law in additional locations, creating counter-advertising campaigns, and banning cigarette marketing and promotion.
"Don’t forget about tobacco”
S Schroeder, K Warner
NEJM 2010; 363(3): 201-204 (open access)
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/363/3/201
Zoe Blatt
ProCor
zoe.blatt@lownfoundation.org
In a recent commentary in the New England Journal of Medicine, authors Steven A. Schroeder, M.D., and Kenneth E. Warner, Ph.D., remind us that the United States has yet to solve the pressing problems regarding cigarette smoking. While America has made some progress in tobacco control, we are far from finished. Cigarette smoking is the primary cause of preventable death and disability in the United States. The prevalence of smoking has resulted in more than 8 million sick or disabled Americans and 45,000 deaths that could have been avoided. Therefore, it is imperative that we do not neglect tobacco issues or switch our focus to other public health concerns, such as rising medical costs, childhood obesity, and health care reform. If it is assumed that the tobacco war has been won and is no longer a relevant issue then Americans will continue to risk premature death.
Although more has to be done to control tobacco use, we must recognize and appreciate the recent advances that have been made to reduce cigarette smoking. Successful strategies have included: raising tobacco taxes, enforcing the clean indoor air law in additional locations, creating counter-advertising campaigns, and banning cigarette marketing and promotion.
"Don’t forget about tobacco”
S Schroeder, K Warner
NEJM 2010; 363(3): 201-204 (open access)
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/363/3/201
Zoe Blatt
ProCor
zoe.blatt@lownfoundation.org
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