New Report Highlights Persistent Inequities and Urgent Need for Action
WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 21, 2024 – The Office of the Surgeon General today unveiled a landmark report addressing persistent health disparities in tobacco use and its devastating consequences. Titled Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disease and Death, Addressing Health Disparities, the report underscores the unequal burden of tobacco use across demographic groups and calls for concerted efforts to achieve health equity in the United States.
Despite significant progress in reducing cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke exposure nationwide, disparities remain stark. Tobacco use continues to claim nearly 500,000 lives annually in the U.S.—accounting for nearly one in five deaths—with disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities.
“This report offers a vision for a tobacco-free future, centered on those who bear the greatest burden,” said Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. “It serves as a call to action for all individuals, communities, and organizations to work together toward eliminating tobacco-related harm.”
Key Findings from the Report
- Disparities in Tobacco Use: Tobacco use remains highest among American Indian and Alaska Native populations, people living in poverty, individuals with lower levels of education, LGBTQ+ communities, and residents in rural areas. Workers in manual labor and service jobs, and those with behavioral health conditions, also face elevated smoking rates.
- Secondhand Smoke Exposure: While exposure to secondhand smoke has declined by more than 50% since 2006, it remains disproportionately high among children, Black communities, and individuals with lower income and education levels.
- Smoking-Related Health Outcomes: American Indian and Alaska Native adults experience the highest rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while Black men suffer the highest incidence and mortality rates from lung cancer.
“Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in our nation. That’s unacceptable,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “We must continue our efforts to improve health equity and ensure that tobacco no longer harms individuals and families.”
Contributing Factors
The report identifies several factors driving these disparities, including:
- Social Determinants of Health: Poverty, discrimination, and inequities in access to health care, education, and safe housing.
- Tobacco Industry Practices: Targeted marketing of menthol and flavored products to specific communities and increased advertising in low-income neighborhoods.
- Policy Gaps: Inconsistent implementation of smokefree air policies and barriers to accessing quitting resources.
Steps Toward a Tobacco-Free Future
The Surgeon General’s report emphasizes the need for collective action to eliminate tobacco-related disparities:
- Address Social Inequities: Ensure equitable access to health care, quality education, and smokefree housing and workplaces.
- Regulate Tobacco Products: Limit the sale of flavored products, reduce nicotine yields, and restrict the density of tobacco retailers in vulnerable communities.
- Strengthen Prevention Strategies: Implement proven measures such as price increases, comprehensive smokefree policies, media campaigns, and accessible quitting resources.
- Support Quitting Efforts: Encourage individuals to quit smoking through tools like 1-800-QUIT-NOW and smokefree.gov.
“Progress must benefit everyone,” said Adm. Rachel L. Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health. “We have not truly advanced until every community can live free from tobacco-related harm.”
Call to Action
The Surgeon General calls on policymakers, public health organizations, communities, and individuals to join forces in creating a healthier, tobacco-free future. Together, we can end tobacco-related disease, disability, and death—for everyone.
For more information or to access the full report, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov.
