Higher cigarette taxes and indoor smoking bans have significantly reduced smoking rates in the U.S., but tobacco companies are responding to flagging sales by aggressively marketing smokeless tobacco.
A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows wide variations in the percentage of adults who smoke in different states, ranging from lows of 9.8 percent in Utah and 12.9 percent in California, to 25.6 percent in Kentucky and West Virginia.
An analysis of the data by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, an anti-smoking group, shows that states with the lowest smoking rates also had the highest cigarette taxes and bans on lighting up indoors, while states with the lowest taxes and least restrictions had the highest rates of smoking.
For example, in the 11 states with the fewest smokers, percentage-wise, cigarette taxes average $2.19 per pack, versus 62 cents per pack in the 10 states with the highest smoking rates.
But in response to restrictions on indoor smoking, tobacco companies have been pushing use of smokeless tobacco. For example, to promote its Marlboro Snus smokeless tobacco, Philip Morris uses the slogan: “So next time smoking isn’t an option, just reach for your Snus.”
Rival R.J. Reynolds promotes its Camel Snus with a similar message: “Pleasure for wherever.”
Smokeless tobacco use varied widely as well, with California recording the lowest rate (1.3 percent) and Wyoming the highest (9.1 percent) of adult users.
The CDC highlighted the need to attack smoking and other tobacco use in tandem. “Use of smokeless tobacco may keep some people from quitting tobacco altogether,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden. “We need to intensify our anti-tobacco efforts to help people quit using all forms of tobacco.”
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While last week’s report by CDC contained some very interesting new survey data (e.g. daily and overall smoking rates are both at record lows), the CDC instead chose to use its report to once again mislead the public about smokeless tobacco.
Epidemiologic studies have consistently found that daily cigarette smoking is 100 times deadlier that daily use of smokeless tobacco. Switching from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco reduces health risks nearly as much as quitting all tobacco/nicotine use. And more than a million American smokers have already significantly reduced their health risks by switching to smokeless tobacco.
Unfortunately for public health and honesty, the CDC has deceitfully tried to mislead smokers (for the past 20 years) to believe that smokeless tobacco is as hazardous as cigarettes. And last week, the CDC also tried to mislead the public to believe that dual usage of both products (which is a prerequisite for smokers to switch to smokeless) is more hazardous than exclusive smoking (which it is NOT).
Public health agencies have an ethical duty to truthfully inform smokers that all smokefree tobacco/nicotine products are far less hazardous alternatives to cigarettes.
Smokers have a human right to be truthfully informed about less hazardous alternatives, as well as legal and affordable access to these products.
So why does our federal government continue to deceive smokers in violation of their human rights?
For once I’d like to see you, Bill, produce the statement made by CDC that claims smokeless is as dangerous as smoking. Frankly, when I do searches on your claims to find out if they have merit, the results are always linked to statements you’ve made on numerous websites. You do get around – spreading your misinformation, which is likely spurred by money you get from tobacco and e-cigarette companies. The types of cancers a person can get from chewing tobacco are faster acting compared to those caused by smoking. And use of smokeless tobacco may keep some people from quitting tobacco altogether (CDC Director Tom Frieden). It’s too bad readers don’t realize how disingenous and self-serving you are.