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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

K. Michael Cummings, PhD MPH, Department of Health Behavior, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, 716-845-8456, K.Michael.Cummings@RoswellPark.org

Over fifty years have passed since the landmark studies by Wynder and others first drew attention to the health risks of cigarette smoking. What is the state of the science in tobacco control science today? Tobacco is easily the most studied risk factor in medical history. The health risks of tobacco are well-documented even though consumers remain confused about these risks. We know that people get addicted to tobacco products. We know that tobacco products should be regulated. Yet there is a lot we still don't know. We've not done the obvious experiments to guide how tobacco products should be regulated. We know a lot about what policies will reduce tobacco use, but don't really understand why it takes so long to get these policies implemented. Currently, NIH is spending less than 3% of its budget on tobacco related research and much of that money is only remotely related to the basic problem of understanding how to alter tobacco use behaviors. So what is the answer to the question about the state of tobacco control science today? Sadly, the answer is that tobacco control is not a priority. What can we do to change this situation? First, all tobacco related research should be consolidated into a single institute with a budget proportional to the magnitude of the problem that tobacco causes. Second, NIH should establish tobacco-only review committees with experts capable of assessing the science in tobacco control so the money is directed into areas that will impact the problem.

Learning Objectives:

• See session abstract

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation