Oral

3305.0 The emergence of dissolvable tobacco products may lead to increased prevalence of tobacco use, particularly among youth. The 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act gave the US Food and Drug Administration authority to ban flavoring additives to tobacco products known to attract new tobacco users and mislead consumers about the relative “safety” of flavored products. Menthol was excluded from the list of banned flavoring additives. The law also created the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee to inform the FDA on technical questions regarding regulation, which ruled in March 2011 that banning menthol would benefit the public health. Banning menthol is a key tobacco control issue, because menthol aids in smoking initiation, hinders quitting, and is the preferred cigarette for youth and African-Americans. At the state level, Meltdown is a grassroots public education campaign on dissolvable tobacco products implemented by youth in Virginia and New Mexico.

Session Objectives: Analyze tobacco industry efforts to promote alternative tobacco products. Describe public health efforts to discourage alternative tobacco product use.

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