FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 16, 2018
Statement attributable to:
John Cullen, MD
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
The American Academy of Family Physicians applauds the FDA taking steps to protect youth and help addicted adult smokers quit with its Comprehensive Plan for Tobacco and Nicotine Regulation. The AAFP will thoroughly review the plan and will provide comment to the FDA.
Family physicians play a critical role in their patients’ lives for tobacco prevention and cessation. Increased regulation proposed today, including banning flavored cigars and halting the marketing of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) to children protects them from predatory practices that lead to increased consumption. In addition, banning the sale of flavored ENDS products that are sold in locations open to all ages protects them from health harms associated with tobacco use.
These and similar moves have the potential to impact generations to come and help ensure that the youngest members of society are safeguarded against what we know to be addictive and a deadly public health concern. The FDA must continue to help regulate an industry that is in direct conflict with public health. And we will continue to advocate for effective policies to prevent and treat tobacco and nicotine addiction.
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. Cullen, contact Stephanie A. Wilken, 800-274-2237, Ext. 6053, or swilken@aafp.org.
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About American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.