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The survey says two-thirds of Americans support reducing tobacco harm rather than banning it altogether

The survey says two-thirds of Americans support reducing tobacco harm rather than banning it altogether

2023-04-15

April 15,  -- Altria has released a survey showing that two-thirds of Americans support reducing tobacco harm rather than banning it outright as a better approach to tobacco regulatory policy.


The survey also showed that 82 percent believe the Food and Drug Administration must focus on providing smokeless tobacco products to adult smokers to help them quit.


"There is clearly overwhelming support for the FDA's approach to harm reduction for the 30 million American adults who smoke.  This means providing a wider range of smoke-free alternatives to adult smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit, and providing them with information and support to help them switch."  Paige Magness, Altria's senior vice president of customer service regulatory affairs.  "Pursuing harm reduction is one of the most powerful steps FDA can take to fulfill its mission of reducing tobacco-related death and disease in the U.S. We hope FDA will listen to these voices as it sets its policy agenda for years to come."


The survey also showed that 90 percent agree that the FDA has a responsibility to accurately inform adult tobacco consumers of the risks associated with different tobacco products, and 88 percent agree that the FDA has a responsibility to address the common misconception that nicotine causes cancer.


A majority of adults also agree that policies banning tobacco products will lead to the illicit market for tobacco products, endangering public health, youth and communities of color.


"Most Americans understand that prohibit-based policies don't work, and that it's far better for public health to legalize and regulate tobacco products."  "Said Magnis.  "Harm reduction is the better path forward.  By reducing harm, regulators provide adult smokers with information, options and support to expand the limits of smoking - while continuing to reduce underage use."


According to Altria, the findings also underscore the clear expectations adults have for doctors to help smokers who want to convert to adulthood.  Seventy-nine percent agreed that if it is scientifically proven that certain tobacco products are less risky than cigarettes, doctors have a responsibility to communicate this information to adult tobacco consumers who have failed to quit using traditional smoking cessation therapies.


In addition to the general adult population, the survey asked primary care doctors about their views on reducing tobacco harm.  Of those surveyed, 89 percent supported tobacco harm reduction as a public health concept, while 85 percent said the FDA must focus on providing smokeless tobacco products to adult smokers to help them switch from cigarettes to less harmful alternatives.


Policy professionals were also surveyed, with overwhelming majorities agreeing that harm reduction is a better approach for the FDA to focus on than banning (78%), that tobacco products should remain legal so they can be properly regulated (77%), and that the FDA has a responsibility to accurately inform adult tobacco consumers of the different levels of risk associated with tobacco products (96%).


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