Howard A. Burris III, MD, FACP, FASCO
Ned Sharpless, MD
ASCO submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) applauding its proposed rule to implement the use of new graphic warning labels on cigarette packaging and advertisements. The comments were sent in a letter from 2019–2020 ASCO President Howard A. Burris III, MD, FACP, FASCO, to FDA Acting Commissioner Ned Sharpless, MD, on September 19.
In the letter, ASCO commended the FDA for its efforts and encouraged the agency to continue its work toward protecting the adolescent population through additional tobacco regulations to significantly reduce tobacco-related disease as part of the FDA comprehensive plan for tobacco and nicotine regulation.
“Graphic warning labels are an effective way to deter youth and nonusers from initiating tobacco use and encourage current tobacco users to quit,” wrote Dr. Burris. “Implementing the requirement of graphic warning labels in the United States could result in a decrease of between 5 and 8 million adult smokers. ASCO agrees that additional education is needed to ensure the public understands the many negative health consequences of using cigarettes and other tobacco products.”
ASCO is committed to policies that will contribute to the reduced prevalence of tobacco use and prevent the occurrence of cancer and other smoking-caused diseases.
Stay up to date on the latest tobacco control news by visiting ASCO in Action at asco.org/ascoaction. ■
© 2019. American Society of Clinical Oncology. All rights reserved.
