Indiana General Assembly Urges Study of Tobacco Harm Reduction

[ravengrim]

http://rodutobaccotruth.blogspot.com...-study-of.html

The rationale for the resolutions is rock solid: “…it is appropriate to consider whether those who will not abstain can substantially reduce their risk of disease and premature death by switching from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco products that present less risk.”

These resolutions indicate growing awareness among legislators about the public health impact of tobacco harm reduction.

If the interim study committee is approved by the Legislative Council, discussion of tobacco harm reduction will take an important and exciting first step in Indiana.

[JustJulie]

I wonder if this sane, compassionate, and so very, very reasonable approach is catching on . . . . Nebraska passed this earlier this month.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION 499
Introduced by Krist, 10.

WHEREAS, tobacco cessation programs are available to persons
desiring to quit smoking cigarettes. However, many persons addicted to
cigarette smoking are unable to quit; and

WHEREAS, cigarette smoking is a leading cause of preventable deaths
in the United States, but studies show that smokeless tobacco presents a
fraction of the health risk of smoking cigarettes; and

WHEREAS, tobacco harm reduction strategies aim to enable smokers
who won't quit smoking cigarettes to switch to smokeless tobacco products.

Tobacco control policies that facilitate the migration of smokers to less
risky smokeless products may be more effective at reducing the deaths,
diseases, and expenses associated with smoking than policies that rely
solely on the abstinence-only approach; and

WHEREAS, while tobacco harm reduction strategies are not widely
used, a growing body of public health advocates, academics, and tobacco
manufacturers recognize the potential societal benefits of such strategies;
and

WHEREAS, several public health organizations have publicly
acknowledged the substantial reductions in disease risks associated with
smokeless tobacco use compared to the use of cigarettes, which is referred to as the risk continuum
for tobacco products, and some such organizations have endorsed tobacco harm reduction strategies
to encourage smokers to switch to smokeless tobacco.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND
LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA, SECOND SESSION:

1. That the Legislature recognizes the importance of tobacco harm
reduction strategies as an additional policy choice to assist cigarette
smokers in quitting.

http://nebraskalegislature.gov/Floor...ntro/LR499.pdf

[Vicks Vap-oh-yeah]

Some sanity coming from legislatures? The world really IS going to end 12/21/12, isn't it?