Current State of United States Tobacco Control Initiatives

• Author: Daniel E. Hilleman,Jilyan A. Ruckman,Hua Ling,Shavonne M. Washington‐Krauth,Tammy L. Burns,Syed M. Mohiuddin
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.57
• Published date: 01 September 2013
• Date: 01 September 2013

Current State of United States Tobacco Control

Initiatives

Tammy L. Burns, Jilyan A. Ruckman, Hua Ling,

Shavonne M. Washington-Krauth, Daniel E. Hilleman,

and Syed M. Mohiuddin

Reduction of tobacco use around the world is a high priority. This review will provide the current

status of tobacco control with particular focus on progress and initiatives in the United States.

Primary literature was retrieved through PubMed and review article reference lists. Reports from

government and global oversight organizations including the World Health Organization, Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are

the primary sources for data and statistics. Information about the Tobacco Master Settlement

Agreement, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, clean air laws, and tobacco excise taxes in

the United States was also included. Continued progress in tobacco control is critical to reducing

the tremendous global morbidity and mortality related to tobacco. Strong policies at all levels are

critical to making strides toward eliminating the public health burden of tobacco use. Coordinated

global efforts to restrict tobacco are necessary to the successful eradication of tobacco use. The

United States has recently made sweeping changes in tobacco control policy and the momentum

must be maintained through advocacy and action.

KEY WORDS: tobacco control, tobacco, public health policy, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes

Introduction

Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the world with 5 million

deaths annually attributed to tobacco use (World Health Organization, 2009).

Tobacco can be linked to six of the eight leading causes of death (Mathers &

Loncar, 2006). Global adult smoking rates (ages 15 years and older) are estimated

at 36 percent for men and 8 percent for women, with approximately 15 percent of

men and 7 percent of women using smokeless tobacco (ST) products. Youth

smoking rates (ages under 15 years) are 12 percent for males and 6 percent for

females worldwide (World Health Organization, 2010). Of all youth that begin

regular smoking, approximately one in three will ultimately die from tobacco-

related illnesses. Smoking rates vary widely by geographic region. In the United

World Medical & Health Policy, Vol. 5, No. 3, 2013

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1948-4682 #2013 Policy Studies Organization

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