Skip to main content
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • Our Vision
    • Our Vision Overview
    • Why Health Equity
    • Focus Areas
    • Measuring RWJF Progress
  • Grants
    • Grants Overview
    • Active Funding Opportunities
    • Awarded Grants
    • Grantee Stories
    • Grant Process
    • Grantee Resources
  • Insights
    • Insights Overview
    • Blog
    • Our Research
    • Advocacy And Policy
  • About RWJF
    • About RWJF Overview
    • Our Guiding Principles
    • How We Work
    • Impact Investments
    • Staff And Trustees
    • Press Room
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Accessibility Statement
Find A Grant
Global Search Dialog
    Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
    • Our Vision
      • Our Vision Overview
      • Why Health Equity
      • Focus Areas
      • Measuring RWJF Progress
    • Grants
      • Grants Overview
      • Active Funding Opportunities
      • Awarded Grants
      • Grantee Stories
      • Grant Process
      • Grantee Resources
    • Insights
      • Insights Overview
      • Blog
      • Our Research
      • Advocacy And Policy
    • About RWJF
      • About RWJF Overview
      • Our Guiding Principles
      • How We Work
      • Impact Investments
      • Staff And Trustees
      • Press Room
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
      • Accessibility Statement
    Find A Grant
    Global Search Dialog

      Why We Must Turn Up the Heat on Tobacco Products

      Blog Post Jul-12-2018 | Matt Pierce | 3-min read
      1. Insights
      2. Blog
      3. Why We Must Turn Up the Heat on Tobacco Products

      We’ve come a long way in reducing tobacco use, but we can save millions of lives and advance health equity by doing even more.

      RWJF Promise Story- Childhood Obesity- Nashville, TN, March, 2011.

       

      Although smoking rates have dropped by more than half over the past 50-plus years, tobacco use remains the number one cause of preventable deaths in the United States.

      And not everyone has benefited equally from reduced rates in smoking—there are deep disparities in tobacco use and quit rates, depending on where people live, how much money they make, and the color of their skin.

      Tobacco products disproportionately harm people with lower incomes and less education; people with mental illness and substance use disorders; people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT); and racial and ethnic minorities.

      What’s causing these inequities? Part of it is marketing. Tobacco control efforts have not focused on closing racial, ethnic and socio-economic gaps. In fact, we know that the tobacco industry targets certain populations—women, people who are black or Latino, and members of the LGBT community—with higher levels of marketing, exposing them to more tobacco product ads.

      In addition, people in many of these groups are less likely to have health insurance—and, as a result, less likely to have access to smoking cessation products and services.

      CDC Tobacco Graphic for use with Tobacco blog post. July 2018. Created by Burness.

       

      Tobacco use is a substantial barrier to our nation’s collective efforts to build a Culture of Health. Tobacco products addict their users—often during their formative teen years, with lifelong consequences for health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, in 2015, more than two-thirds of smokers wanted to quit and 55 percent had tried to quit within the past year—but only 7 percent had succeeded in the previous 6 to 12 months. And even more telling is the fact that 9 in 10 smokers regret having started in the first place.

      Tobacco’s enormous toll on our society underscores why it’s so important to reduce its use in order to build a Culture of Health.

      We have a unique opportunity now, as the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers making new rules on limiting nicotine in tobacco, further restricting flavored tobacco products, and exempting premium cigars from its authority to regulate tobacco. Here’s what RWJF recommends:

      Reduce Nicotine to Non-Addictive Levels

      Nicotine is what makes tobacco products addictive—and it’s a key factor in whether kids who try tobacco become regular smokers. Limiting nicotine to non-addictive levels in all combusted tobacco products can prevent kids from becoming addicted and help more smokers quit. This action might lower smoking rates across all groups and could be particularly beneficial for those with lower quit rates, including marginalized populations.

      Further Restrict Flavored Tobacco Products

      Although the Tobacco Control Act bans the sale of most flavored cigarettes, menthol cigarettes are still sold throughout most of the country and e-cigarettes and cigars are sold in flavors like cherry, vanilla, chocolate, and clove that appeal to young people. FDA has found that menthol cigarettes lead to increased smoking among young people, greater addiction, and reduced success in quitting smoking. They are also disproportionately used by and marketed to African-Americans, who are more likely than whites to die from a tobacco-related disease.

      Continue FDA Oversight of Premium Cigars

      There is no reason for FDA to loosen its regulation of cigars. They pose a significant public health risk since they are addictive, toxic, and both youth and adults smoke them. Tobacco is the only consumer product that leads to disease and death when used as intended.

      For the past 27 years, RWJF has played an important role in strengthening tobacco control policies, improving access to cessation supports, and reducing the burden of tobacco. As a nation, we’ve made significant progress in reducing tobacco use. Despite this, we simply can’t let our guard down given persistent inequities in tobacco use and tobacco-related disease, disability, and death.

      We have submitted statements on nicotine, flavored tobacco products, and premium cigars to FDA during its public comment period to urge strengthening tobacco control policies and encourage others to do the same.

      To move the needle in reducing tobacco-related disparities, RWJF will fund projects that support communities in 13 Southern and Midwestern states to strengthen capacity to advocate for stronger local and regional tobacco-related policies. Review the closed call for proposals.

      About the Author

      Matthew Pierce joined the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 2015. He works in the areas of public health law and tobacco control. Pierce is interested in finding more equitable ways to promote health and well-being. 

      Subscribe to receive Funding Alerts & more

      Explore the latest in reflection and research from subject matter experts at RWJF and our wide network of partners.

      Email address already subscribed. Please check your inbox to manage your subscriptions.

      Subscribed!

      Thank you. You are now subscribed.

      Tell us what type of content you want to receive.

      Be informed with our twice a month newsletter updating you with relevant news and research around a Culture of Health, as well as the latest funding opportunities.

      Get funded by RWJF: Receive notifications when new funding opportunities are released.

      Receive monthly updates on RWJF-sponsored research that informs many robust health policy debates on Capitol Hill, covering topics like health equity, improving access to quality healthcare, equitable housing, and more.

      Shop talk for researchers. This monthly newsletter covers research news and opportunities from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

      Communications expedite action. Get periodic research and expert insights on the best ways to communicate so we can spread what works.

      Sometimes we have news, announcements or opportunities that don't quite fit the subscription parameters above. If you're interested, we'll send you this information under "There's more...". *If you've indicated you are an EU resident, we will only send these communications if you intentionally check this box.

      Which profession or pursuit best describes you?

      Area(s) Of Interest

      Unsubscribe

      Stop receiving all emails from RWJF

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      • CONTACT RWJF

        50 College Road East
        Princeton, NJ 08540-6614

         

        US Toll Free: (877) 843-7953

        International: +1 (609) 627-6000

      • MANAGE YOUR GRANTS

        MyRWJF Login

        • Facebook
        • LinkedIn
        • YouTube
        • Instagram

      • Our Vision
        • Our Vision Overview
        • Why Health Equity
        • Focus Areas
        • Measuring RWJF Progress
      • Grants
        • Grants Overview
        • Active Funding Opportunities
        • Awarded Grants
        • Grantee Stories
        • Grant Process
        • Grantee Resources
      • Insights
        • Insights Overview
        • Blog
        • Our Research
        • Advocacy And Policy
      • About RWJF
        • About RWJF Overview
        • Our Guiding Principles
        • How We Work
        • Impact Investments
        • Staff And Trustees
        • Press Room
        • Careers
        • Contact Us
        • Accessibility Statement

      ©2001- 

      Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. All Rights Reserved. 

       

      • Manage Email
      • Privacy Statement
      • Terms and Conditions