Pressing Need for Tobacco Regulations Highlighted As American Heart Association Celebrates World No Tobacco Day
The Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw attention to the dangers of tobacco and the health risks associated with its use.
PRESS RELEASE
Washington, D.C., May 29, 2015 —
The Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw attention to the dangers of tobacco and the health risks associated with its use. American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown issued the following comments today in recognition of World No Tobacco Day, which is marked every year around the world on May 31:
“The American Heart Association has been committed to the fight against tobacco for more than five decades, and so we proudly join those around the globe to observe this year’s World No Tobacco Day. This important day sends a powerful message about just how serious the tobacco epidemic is that we face worldwide.
Use of tobacco in any form increases the risk for heart disease, stroke or even an early death. The WHO reports that tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death globally and is currently responsible for killing one in 10 adults around the world. If we continue down this path, the annual death toll could rise to more than eight million by 2030, according to the WHO.
This startling projection makes it perfectly clear that bold and urgent action must be taken to end this public health nightmare once and for all. That is why we are renewing our call on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today to release its final tobacco deeming rule as soon as possible. The association has said it before and we will say it again: final tobacco regulations are needed now to help protect future generations from all tobacco products, particularly e-cigarettes which have tripled in use among U.S. teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey.
As we celebrate World No Tobacco Day, it is also a stark reminder that tobacco use — a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease – knows no international boundaries. The association will not stop our work until we live in a world free of tobacco.”
