Governments should consider holding the tobacco industry criminally liable for the harm they cause, according to a statement by the US’ Action on Smoking and Health (ASH US).
And it should consider taking steps to phase cigarettes out of the market.
Ending the completely preventable tobacco epidemic was a human rights and development challenge that the world could overcome this century.
‘Cigarettes are the only consumer product that kill when used exactly as their manufacturer intends, causing more than seven million deaths every year,’ ASH US said. ‘It is time to regulate these products in a way that is proportional to the harm they cause.’
ASH made its case in a statement welcoming to its Board of Trustees Dr. Cheryl Healton, whose extensive experience in public health would be a remarkable asset to ASH as it worked towards zero deaths from tobacco.
‘Dr. Healton’s deep understanding of the tobacco control field, as well as her collaborations with top public health researchers globally, will strengthen ASH’s cutting-edge approaches to ending the tobacco epidemic,’ the statement said. ‘Dr. Healton shares ASH’s view that we are not doing enough to address the tobacco epidemic. She has repeatedly shown an ability to turn visions into reality.’
According to ASH, Healton is the Dean of the New York University College of Global Public Health where she builds the academic, service, and research programs on health prevention [sic], systems intervention, and innovation in public health practice. She is also a professor at the NYU College of Global Public Health.
‘Previously, as the founding president and CEO of Legacy (rebranded as The Truth Initiative) – a leading organization dedicated to tobacco control – Dr. Healton worked to further the foundation’s mission: to build a world where young people reject tobacco, and anyone can quit,’ the statement said. ‘During her time with Legacy, she guided the national youth tobacco prevention counter-marketing campaign, truth®, which has been credited with reducing youth smoking prevalence to record lows. Legacy launched a national smoking cessation campaign, public education campaigns, technical assistance, and a broad program of grant making. Additionally, Legacy established the Steven A. Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Studies.
‘Prior to Legacy, Dr. Healton held numerous roles at Columbia University where she worked to expand the scope of public health programs and undertook innovative educational initiatives to advance public health practice. She served as assistant vice president for the Health Sciences, associate dean of the medical school and later the associate dean of the School of Public Health, chair of the Department of Sociomedical Science, and professor of Clinical Public Health.’
Ending tobacco within sight
