American Lung Association Wants to Keep Smokers Misinformed About the Relative Risks of Different Tobacco Products

Incomments submitted to the FDA in response to the Center for Tobacco Products ' (CTP) draft strategic plan, the American Lung Association expressed its opposition to one of the strategic goals, which was to " inform adults who smoke about the relative risks of tobacco products. " This goal primarily expressed the desire of the CTP to inform smokers that electronic cigarettes are much safer than real cigarettes and therefore may be considered as a safer alternative for smokers who are unable to quit using other cessation methods.The American Lung Association does not approve of this goal, writing: "Remove language from the description for this goal that references informing adults about the relative risk of tobacco products. As mentioned in our comments above, the description for this goal included language “and to inform adults who smoke about the relative risks of tobacco products.” The Lung Association strongly recommends this language be removed from the description." Earlier in its comments, the Lung Association wrote: "the Lung Association strongly urges reconsideration of and revision to part of goal four, notably any promotion of the so-called “relative risk” of tobacco products. CTP should have no part in the industry’s efforts to sustain addiction through the failed and flawed notion that adult smokers should switch to e-cigarettes."The Rest of the StoryThe rest of the story is that the American Lung Association opposes telling the public the truth.&n...
Source: The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary - Category: Addiction Source Type: blogs