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Previous Volume 359:2294 November 20, 2008 Number 21 Next

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To the Editor: The American Heart Association enthusiastically supports the editorial by Curfman et al. (Sept. 4 issue)¹ on a bill that would grant authority to the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products. We believe that this legislation has several strengths; it would require full disclosure of the ingredients in tobacco products, reduce the burden of tobacco-related illnesses, and especially limit underage smoking. Each day, about 4000 people 12 to 17 years of age will try a cigarette for the first time, and an estimated 1140 persons in this age group become daily smokers.² According to a U.S. Surgeon General's report, about 80% of people who use tobacco begin to do so before 18 years of age.³ A major curtailment of underage tobacco use may be the greatest potential public health benefit of this legislation. As the incoming president of the American Heart Association, I applaud the position of the Journal editors and join with them in expressing unequivocal support for this legislation.

Clyde Yancy, M.D.
American Heart Association
Dallas, TX 75231

References

1. Curfman GD, Morrissey S, Drazen JM. The FDA and tobacco regulation. N Engl J Med 2008;359:1056-1057. [Free Full Text]
2. Office of Applied Studies. Results from the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: national findings. NSDUH series H-30. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2006. (DHHS publication no. SMA 06-4194.)
3. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health. Preventing tobacco use among young people. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1994.

PDF PDA Full Text Add to Personal Archive Add to Citation Manager Notify a Friend E-mail When Cited E-mail When Letters Appear Related Article by Curfman, G. D. PubMed Citation