To the Editor: The American Heart Association enthusiasticallysupports the editorial by Curfman et al. (Sept. 4 issue)1 ona bill that would grant authority to the Food and Drug Administrationto regulate tobacco products. We believe that this legislationhas several strengths; it would require full disclosure of theingredients in tobacco products, reduce the burden of tobacco-relatedillnesses, and especially limit underage smoking. Each day,about 4000 people 12 to 17 years of age will try a cigarettefor the first time, and an estimated 1140 persons in this agegroup become daily smokers.2 According to a U.S. Surgeon General'sreport, about 80% of people who use tobacco begin to do so before18 years of age.3 A major curtailment of underage tobacco usemay be the greatest potential public health benefit of thislegislation. As the incoming president of the American HeartAssociation, I applaud the position of the Journal editors andjoin with them in expressing unequivocal support for this legislation.
Clyde Yancy, M.D. American Heart Association Dallas, TX 75231
References
Curfman GD, Morrissey S, Drazen JM. The FDA and tobacco regulation. N Engl J Med 2008;359:1056-1057. [Free Full Text]
Office of Applied Studies. Results from the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: national findings. NSDUH series H-30. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2006. (DHHS publication no. SMA 06-4194.)
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health. Preventing tobacco use among young people. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1994.
Hogl, B., Trenkwalder, C., Poewe, W., Crozier, T. A., Karimdadian, D., Happe, S.
(2009). More on the Restless Legs Syndrome and Spinal Anesthesia. NEJM
360: 1155-1156
[Full Text]
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