2023 Graham Lecturer Explains Roadmap and Challenges of Tobacco Regulation
One of the first examples of federal tobacco regulation emerged in the 1960s, when the United States passed the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act that required manufacturers to place health warning labels on cigarette packages. Since then, tobacco regulation has expanded through legislation like the 2009 Tobacco Control Act, which gave the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the ability to regulate the tobacco industry through the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP).
SPHHP alumnus Brian King, PhD '10, MPH '06, focused the 16th Annual Saxon Graham Lecture on his roadmap to successful tobacco regulation and the challenges he faces as CTP’s director. One challenge is the ever-changing landscape of tobacco products. While cigarettes continue to be the most used tobacco product among adults, e-cigarettes are the leading the way with youth, with almost one in 10 using these products.
“Our challenge as researchers is making sure we’re nimble and mindful of everything that’s out there, but also making sure that we have the data to help inform the work that we’re doing,” King said.
King has worked for nearly 20 years (including his time as deputy director for research translation at the Centers for Disease Control's Office on Smoking and Health) to provide thorough scientific evidence to inform tobacco control policy and to successfully communicate this information to stakeholders like the media, governmental officials and the public.
The Saxon Graham Lectureship honors the life and legacy of the man known as one of the fathers of U.S. chronic disease epidemiology