Dental News - Washington cracks down on big tobacco

Fred Michmershuizen, DTA

Wed. 24 June 2009

save

NEW YORK CITY and WASHINGTON, DC, USA: The American Dental Association (ADA) is applauding new legislation to regulate tobacco. Congress has passed and President Barack Obama has signed into law the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. This legislation gives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the express authority to regulate the manufacture, marketing and distribution of tobacco products.

“Dentists are the first line of defense in the war against oral cancer and many other tobacco-related diseases,” said ADA President Dr John S. Findley, in a statement. “[We have a] long-standing policy that nicotine is a drug and that cigarettes and other tobacco products are nicotine delivery devices and, therefore, should be regulated by the FDA. The association has devoted particular attention to the insidious marketing of tobacco products to children, especially so-called ‘smokeless’ or spit tobacco products.”

“Many Americans believe that tobacco products already are regulated for health and safety when in fact they’re not,” Dr Findley continued. “Over the years, the tobacco industry has used its enormous political influence to avoid even the most basic oversight of its products. As a result, tobacco use remains the main cause of preventable disease and death in the United States.”

“About nine out of ten people who will die from oral and throat cancers use tobacco, and their risk of developing these cancers is related to how much and how often they use tobacco,” he said. “On average, 40 per cent of those with these cancers will not survive more than five years. Tobacco products are also associated with higher rates of gum disease, one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.”

“Congress’s action is the first step in more effectively regulating tobacco use and marketing, and we urge the president to sign this legislation as soon as possible,” Dr Findley concluded.

To post a reply please login or register

Americans cut down on dental visits

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, USA: While the economy begins to show signs of a slow recovery, many consumers in the US struggle with financial challenges, some of ...

AACD holds 28th Annual Scientific Session in Washington

WASHINGTON, DC, USA: Good things come in small packages, right? Well, it might not have been the biggest exhibit hall of the year, but the AACD did pack a ...

US regulators back down on dental amalgam issue

NEW YORK, NY, USA/LEIPZIG, Germany: The US government should review its existing amalgam regulations, an advisory panel of the Food and Drug Administration ...

‘Decoding Digital Dentistry’ to be offered in Washington, D.C.

The Southern and Northeast districts of the AAID will present “Decoding Digital Dentistry” June 8 and 9 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., with...

Meeting review: 2018 AAO Annual Session in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C., USA: The theme for the 2018 Annual Session of the American Association of Orthodontists was “A Capital Destination, a Monumental ...

Why fewer young dentists own practices—and why that might be changing

CHICAGO, US: Fewer young dentists are buying practices early in their careers—but that does not mean they are abandoning the idea of ownership altogether....

Dentistry gets its own 3-D printer

CHICAGO, Ill., USA: Planmeca used the 2019 Midwinter Meeting to launch its Creo C5 3-D printer, offering demonstrations of the technology in its booth. The ...

Big meetings — and a big name in dentistry

NEW YORK, N.Y., USA: I enjoy attending and speaking at dental conferences as often as my schedule allows. The big, international events are especially ...

Screening for a new revenue source in your own practice

Most dental professionals, by now, should be well aware of the rapid changes altering the dental playing field. The market-driven changes, such as ...

Greater Washington AO Study Club commemorates first year of programming

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., USA: Initiated one year ago as a pilot project, the Greater Washington D.C. Academy of Osseointegration Study Club (GWDCAOSC) is ...

Education

On-demand
webinar