The American Heart Association issued the following statement in response to today's release of the U.S. Surgeon General's Report "Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disease and Death: Addressing Disparities." The report, which is the first of its kind since 1998, serves to elevate a decades-long public health crisis that disproportionately impacts Black, LGBTQ+ and other populations.
"The American Heart Association welcomes the U.S. Surgeon General's call for more action to address the intolerable and unacceptable ongoing public health crisis caused by tobacco use and nicotine addiction.
"Despite historic progress in reducing smoking rates among youth and adults to an all-time low, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, taking more than 490,000 lives each year. Tobacco use is a significant risk factor for heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, and its consequences fall hardest on communities already facing inequities in health and access to care.
"The report highlights disturbing trends showing disparities in tobacco use across race, ethnicity, income, education, gender identity and several other factors. It shows that American Indian and Alaska Native communities have the highest smoking rates of any racial or ethnic group, and their youth are experiencing increases in tobacco use despite overall declines.
"Similarly, tobacco use remains disproportionately high among individuals from the LGBTQ+ community, who are targeted by the tobacco industry's aggressive marketing.
"The American Heart Association is committed to ending tobacco use and nicotine addiction while addressing the inequities they perpetuate. We stand firm in calling for bold and equitable tobacco control policies, including:
- Eliminating all flavored tobacco products, including menthol, which are designed to addict and harm marginalized populations.
- Expanding tobacco prevention programs, particularly for youth and communities disproportionately burdened by tobacco use.
- Increasing funding for cessation programs to help all individuals quit smoking and lead healthier lives.
"Menthol tobacco products are especially harmful, increasing the likelihood of addiction and sustained use among Black communities, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, women and LGBTQ+ individuals that for decades have been targeted by the tobacco industry.
"The Surgeon General's report reminds us that over 36 million U.S. adults and 760,000 middle and high school students still smoke combustible tobacco products. These products, including cigarettes and cigars, are highly addictive and harm health.
"Emerging tobacco products including e-cigarettes and oral nicotine pouches further threaten our progress, especially among young people. Since their introduction, e-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco product among youth, keeping many hooked on nicotine and vulnerable to lifelong addiction.
"We are encouraged by declines in tobacco use, but the fight to protect public health and address these disparities continues. We must create a nation and a world free from the harms of tobacco and nicotine addiction.
"The American Heart Association calls on all policymakers, public health advocates and communities to come together to act on the report's findings. Together, we must advance equitable public health policies that eliminate flavored tobacco products, invest in prevention and cessation programs and dismantle the structures that allow the tobacco industry to target vulnerable populations."
