Oral

Numerous legal products available in the United States are associated with public health problems and costs. Tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs, and food all are available legally, but also have significant costs associated with health and public health harms. These substances are well represented in US regulatory and law-making systems, often to a much greater degree than public health advocates or researchers are able to be. This session will look at current challenges faced by the public health field, examine issues related to regulation and the legal environment, and present solutions that some local governments are exploring. Common issues and strategies across these products will be presented. The opportunity for discussion will help enrich the presentations.

Session Objectives: Participants will be able to -describe common challenges that public health advocates face when trying to address harms related to legal products, especially alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs, and food -identify how similar strategies and issues can be applied across various substances -explain the influence that industry has in regulatory processes -explain how a local ordinance can assist in disposal of prescription drugs

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)