President Joe Biden’s recent visit to New Orleans highlighted his Cancer Moonshot initiative which aims to cut cancer death rates in half by 2047.
The President’s goal is laudable, but meeting it will require greater leadership from this Administration and the next one in embracing new strategies to further reduce cigarette smoking, which is still responsible for nine out of 10 of all lung cancer deaths.
First, the Administration must act to clear the current backlog of millions of reduced-risk, smoke-free products awaiting authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Second, the Administration’s health experts must do a better job of communicating with the public and medical professionals about the misperceptions surrounding these products, which have been scientifically shown to be a significantly better option than combustible cigarettes.
The good news is that youth smoking is at an all-time low and cigarette smoking among adults has declined substantially over the past twenty years. One reason for this decline is the availability of tobacco harm reduction products, such as pouches and other smoke-free alternatives. The government should be making it easier, not more difficult, for smokers to access these products.
If President Biden and his successor are serious about their cancer moonshot, these small steps would represent a giant leap in the right direction.
Lu Jones, RN
