Today, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy unveiled the 35th Surgeon General Report on tobacco titled "Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disease and Death: Addressing Disparities." The report addresses various tobacco-related health disparities in the United States.
In response to the report, Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, expressed his support. "For decades, the Surgeon General has been a trusted medical voice, sounding a clarion call for action in battling the death and disease caused by tobacco," Wimmer stated. He emphasized that today's report continues this tradition by providing a blueprint for policymakers and the public.
Wimmer noted that the American Lung Association supports the findings regarding health disparities related to tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. He highlighted that these issues disproportionately affect communities targeted by tobacco companies. According to him, achieving health equity involves identifying these disparities and taking steps to eliminate them.
The report also points out how menthol flavored tobacco products contribute to increased initiation, addiction, and sustained use of tobacco. These products are marketed towards certain population groups such as Black people and individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Following what he described as a failure by the Biden administration in 2023 to finalize rules ending sales of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars nationwide, Wimmer urged local governments across the country to enact policies banning all flavored tobacco products.
Furthermore, Wimmer stressed that many users of commercial tobacco face significant barriers when trying to quit due to limited resources. He called for pairing effective prevention policies with accessible support systems based on evidence to assist individuals in quitting smoking.
