Tobacco-Related Health Disparities: A Summary of the U.S. Surgeon General’s New Report

A new report from the U.S. surgeon general’s office confirms equal progress has not been made to reduce cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke exposure among all groups in the U.S. Cigarette smoking has declined by more than 70% in the U.S. since the 1960s, yet smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death. Cigarette smoking is higher among the following groups:

• American Indian and Alaskan Native people
• Adults with lower levels of education
• People who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual
• Adults who work in manual labor or service jobs
• Residents of rural areas
• Adults who live in the Midwest or South
• People living with a mental health condition or substance use disorder.

Cigarette smoking is a major contributor to cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Each year, approximately 470,000 U.S. adults die from cigarette smoking, while more than 19,000 deaths are linked to secondhand smoke exposure. Although deaths from secondhand smoke exposure have declined since 2006, exposure remains high for children and youth, Black people, low-income populations, and adults with lower levels of education.

Factors That Influence Tobacco-Related Disparities

The report explains how the social determinants of health play a role in tobacco use disparities. Factors that influence individual tobacco use include:

• Poverty
• Geographic location
• Access to healthcare
• Exposure to tobacco advertising
• Social and environmental conditions
• Access to tobacco cessation treatment
• Gaps in protective policies and laws among populations.

Potential Strategies to Reduce Tobacco-Related Health Disparities

Previous U.S. surgeon general reports have indicated that prevention and control interventions to reduce tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure can have a positive impact, but these strategies have not been implemented equally among all groups and populations. The recent report highlights the following strategies to address tobacco-related health disparities:

• Increase prices on tobacco products
• Implement smoke-free air policies
• Reduce nicotine levels in products
• Eliminate flavored tobacco products
• Regulate locations of tobacco retailers
• Raise awareness of the health risks of tobacco use
• Increase access to quitting resources.

The workplace is a critical setting for supporting individuals in quitting smoking due to its accessibility and opportunity to reach large groups of people who smoke or use tobacco products. Implementing smoke-free and tobacco-free policies across all industries, along with eliminating barriers to tobacco cessation treatment, are key strategies for reducing tobacco-related health disparities. Additionally, the report emphasizes the importance of engaging key stakeholders—employers, managers, employees, and unions—in a collaborative effort to promote the health, safety, and well-being of all workers.

If you are preparing or reviewing a tobacco-free workplace policy, consider using this sample policy from the American Lung Association, available as part of WELCOA’s Benchmark 6 Toolkit.

To support employees interested in quitting smoking and tobacco, the following resources are available:

• Smokefree.gov
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • 1-800-QUIT-NOW
• American Lung Association
  • Freedom from Smoking.

More research is needed to better understand the impact of these strategies, but the report is clear that a comprehensive approach is the solution to strengthen public health outcomes and overcome health disparities. As U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy states, the report offers “a vision for a tobacco-free future, focused on those who bear the greatest burden, and serves as a call to action for all people to play a role in realizing that vision.”

Resources

Full Report: Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disease and Death: Addressing Disparities—A Report of the Surgeon General

Press Announcement (U.S. Surgeon General Releases New Report: Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disease and Death, Addressing Health Disparities)

Overview and Fact Sheets (Tobacco – Surgeon General’s Reports)

Sample Tobacco-Free Workplace Policy  

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR ASHTON DEMOSS // Wellness Content & Information Specialist • IFEBP

Ashton DeMoss currently serves as a Wellness Content and Information Specialist at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, the partner organization of the Wellness Alliance. With extensive experience in the worksite wellness industry, she is passionate about promoting health and well-being in the workplace. To prioritize her personal wellness, she enjoys group exercise classes and participating in a monthly book club. 

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