More than 28 million adult Americans remain smokers, including more than 618,000 Alabamians. This practice not only harms an individual’s health, but also exposes others to toxic fumes and drives up health care costs. Fortunately, a new law in the Alabama Legislature could help steer these smokers and the state in a better direction.
Throughout my professional and personal life, I have seen firsthand how tobacco damages the body and shortens lifespan. I treated patients as a physician, pursued policy solutions as the former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and lost my father to what I called a “lucky lung attack.”
Last year alone, approximately 480,000 Americans died from conditions caused by smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke. To put this number in perspective, this is equivalent to losing the entire population of Huntsville every six months of her life.
To reduce this number, we must follow what science tells us. This means that although nicotine is highly addictive, it is not the direct cause of emphysema, cancer, and other lung diseases caused by smoking. The blame lies with the toxic smoke and chemicals inherent in combustible cigarettes. Therefore, if smokers can switch to non-flammable nicotine products, they can improve their lives and achieve better health outcomes.
This strategy, known as tobacco harm reduction, has been embraced by scientists and public health experts over the past decade. This is also the inspiration for a bill introduced in the Alabama House of Representatives by Rep. Rolanda Hollis (D-Birmingham). Representative Hollis’ bill would update Alabama’s tax code to reduce the tax burden on innovative smokeless nicotine products, such as heated tobacco products, compared to combustible cigarettes.
The FDA recognizes that the health risks associated with tobacco and nicotine products are wide-ranging, with combustible tobacco being the most harmful. It is in the best interest of smokers and the state government to encourage adult smokers in Alabama to move further down this range.
To be clear, smoking cessation products are not without risks, and strong enforcement policies and education campaigns must be in place to prevent youth use. But these products also offer a promising approach to getting existing smokers to switch. New nicotine options, such as heated tobacco products, are popular in other countries, and data shows that cigarette sales decline when these products hit the market.
Embracing tobacco harm reduction and incorporating changes to our tax code will ensure that Alabama is a leader in addressing the public health challenges posed by smoking. It’s a common sense approach that will greatly benefit the nation’s future.
