Where there is smoke there is Obama

Posted on Fri, 26 Jun 09

An estimated 4.9 million deaths due to tobacco use occur annually and smokers experience a very poor quality of life as well as impaired mental health [1]. Despite the clear health risks of tobacco use it has been estimated that in 2006 approximately 5.763 trillion cigarettes were manufactured, an average of 2.4 per day for every person on earth [2]. The social acceptability of smoking and the power of the tobacco industry are undoubtedly responsible for the pervasiveness of this immense cause of ill health and premature death [2].

On June 22 2009 a monumental act was made by President Obama with the signing of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009, which gives the American Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco products [3].

President Obama’s action represents a historical step toward controlling perhaps the most important threat to human health globally. The action has the potential to have a profound positive effect on the health of the American people and sets an important example for countries where tobacco is available for use.

References

1. Wilson D, Parsons J, Wakefield M. The health-related qualityof- life of never smokers, ex-smokers, and light, moderate and heavy smokers. Prev Med 1999; 29: 139–144.
2. Slama K. Global perspective on tobacco control. Part I. The global state of the tobacco epidemic. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2008 Jan;12(1):3-7
3. CurfmanGD et al. Tobacco, Public Health, and the FDA. Published at www.nejm.org June 22, 2009.

Image: Oscar Burriel. Science Photo Library.

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