Blumenthal Statement On New Surgeon General Report About The Health Consequences Of Tobacco Use

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement in response to the release of a new Surgeon General report linking tobacco use to more health problems and disease:

“Fifty years after the release of the first Surgeon General report showing tobacco’s destructive health effects, this report shows that the list of diseases and disorders caused by this lethal product has grown longer – not shorter. Indeed, tobacco is public health enemy number one – the only legal product that kills customers who use it. Over my many years in public service, I am proud to have joined with many public officials and anti-tobacco advocates against Big Tobacco. And if we ever doubt our achievements on this 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General report, we should remember the days when 43 percent of adults smoked cigarettes. Now, only 18 percent do – but that number is still too high. There is still much more work to be done, especially when it comes to preventing Big Tobacco from attracting future generations of tobacco users and nicotine addicts with new promotions, pitches, and products such as e-cigarettes and flavored cigars. ”

Full text of the report can be found here.