Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113252

Kenneth E. Warner, PhD, Dept. of Health Management & Policy, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, (734) 936-0934, kwarner@umich.edu

The tobacco industry is investing enormous sums in developing novel tobacco products, including low-nitrosamine forms of smokeless tobacco, pseudo-cigarettes that heat tobacco papers, and new cigarettes with reduced delivery of selected toxins in cigarette smoke. The investment appears to be directed at maintaining tobacco use among current or prospective tobacco users who might otherwise cease tobacco use, out of concern for the adverse health consequences. For the foreseeable future, the market for such "PREPs" (potential reduced-exposure products) is likely to remain small, based on the early experience with the first novel products sold commercially. Analysis of the investment in PREPs, however, indicates that the industry anticipates these and other novel products to constitute a growing segment of the overall market in the future. Both public health professionals and one major cigarette company (Philip Morris) have called for the adoption of congressional legislation affording the Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority over PREPs and conventional tobacco products. The current lack of restrictions on product marketing, in the face of the introduction of a new product approximately every three months, raises the prospect of false and misleading exposure or health claims that could adversely affect the public's health. This paper explores the economic implications of the introduction of PREPs and considers why they create a clear public health need for product regulation. The paper is presented as part of the session: Where's the Evidence: Reducing the Harm of “Harm Reduction” Products, moderated by Gail Bingham, gbingham@resolv.org. 202-965-6200.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Understand the current research on tobacco harm reduction products and the current regulatory landscape for these products;
• Describe a proactive public policy strategy for addressing harm reduction products;
• Construct a plan for contributing to collaborative efforts to reduce the threat of tobacco harm reduction products to tobacco cessation efforts.

Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Tobacco Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation