Tobacco and nicotine advocacy in family medicine

Physician applies a nicotine patch to a patient’s arm.

Family physicians play a key role in preventing tobacco use and supporting cessation. The AAFP advocates for policies that reduce harm and protect public health.

Why tobacco and nicotine use remain public health threats

Despite significant research outlining the dangers of tobacco and a significant decrease in the number of United States adults who smoke, tobacco, and in particular cigarettes, remains the leading cause of death and preventable disease in the U.S.

Smoking directly contributes to the deaths of more than 440,000 Americans each year, according to CDC estimates. It represents the single leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

In economic terms, each pack of cigarettes sold produces approximately $7 in combined medical costs and lost productivity, according to the CDC. That’s about $157 billion annually.

The role of family physicians in tobacco and nicotine use

Family physicians play a critical role in advocating for effective policies to prevent and treat tobacco and nicotine addiction. They also provide policymakers with vital expertise and input regarding policies designed to prevent young people from picking up the habit and to help others beat a deadly addiction.

The AAFP's tobacco control policy and advocacy

The Academy recognizes that the majority of states have laws restricting the sale of cigarettes to minors and urges the federal government and remaining states to enact and strictly enforce laws restricting the sale of tobacco products to youth.

The AAFP supports:

  • Requiring active enforcement of age-at-sale laws for tobacco and nicotine product retailers

  • Increased excise taxes on tobacco and nicotine products and using this tax revenue to fund comprehensive, evidence-based tobacco prevention, control, and cessation programs

  • Prohibiting the use of all tobacco and nicotine products that emit a vapor or any form of inhalable substance in public places and workplaces

  • Improved access to tobacco cessation services for all patients, regardless of health insurance

Recent AAFP communications

Joint communications with other organizations

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