Survey Says Two-Thirds of Americans Support Tobacco Harm Reduction Instead of an Outright Ban

According to reports today, a survey released by Altria shows that two-thirds of Americans support tobacco harm reduction rather than an outright ban, viewing it as a better approach to tobacco regulation. 

The survey also revealed that 82% of respondents believe the FDA should focus on providing smoke-free tobacco products to adult smokers to help them quit.

"There is clearly overwhelming support for the FDA's approach to harm reduction for 30 million adult smokers in the U.S. This means providing a wider range of smoke-free alternatives for adults who cannot or do not want to quit smoking, along with information and support to help them transition," said Paige Magness, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Altria. "Pursuing harm reduction is one of the most powerful steps the FDA can take to fulfill its mission of reducing tobacco-related death and disease in the U.S. We hope the FDA will listen to these voices as it shapes its policy agenda in the coming years."

The survey also indicated that 90% of respondents agree that the FDA has a responsibility to accurately inform adult tobacco consumers about the risks associated with different tobacco products, and 88% agree that the FDA has a duty to address the common misconception that nicotine is carcinogenic.

Most adults also agree that policies banning tobacco products would lead to these products entering the illegal market, jeopardizing public health, youth, and communities of color.

"Most Americans understand that prohibition-based policies do not work, and that legalizing and regulating tobacco products is much better for public health," Magness said. "Harm reduction is the better way forward. By reducing harm, regulators provide adult smokers with information, choices, and support to expand smoking restrictions—while continuing to reduce youth usage."

According to Altria, the survey results also highlight adults' clear expectations for doctors to assist adult smokers who wish to transition. 79% agree that if science proves certain tobacco products are less risky than cigarettes, doctors have a responsibility to communicate this information to adult tobacco consumers who have failed to quit through traditional cessation methods.

In addition to ordinary adults, the survey also asked primary care physicians about their views on tobacco harm reduction. Among those surveyed, 89% supported harm reduction as a public health concept, and 85% believed the FDA must focus on providing smoke-free tobacco products to help adult smokers transition to less harmful alternatives.

Policy professionals were also surveyed, with a vast majority believing that harm reduction is a better approach for the FDA to focus on than prohibition (78%), that tobacco products should remain legal for proper regulation (77%), and that the FDA has a responsibility to accurately inform adult tobacco consumers about the different risk levels associated with tobacco products (96%).