Tarzana Treatment Centers Marks FDA Prevention of Underage Tobacco Use
A leader in prevention efforts in regards to underage tobacco use, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) marks a step in the right direction by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Focusing on evidence-based actions, the FDA extends the ban on flavored tobacco products. Hence, the goal is to reduce youth experimentation that leads to nicotine addiction. Heralding a key historical shift, the FDA is working towards a complete ban of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigar products.
Indeed, the overall goal of these new tobacco product standards is a significant reduction in disease and death. For years, tobacco companies employ targeting strategies to attract and hook adolescents and teenagers. Did you know Camel Joe used to be the most recognizable cartoon character for children after Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny? Taking it one step further beyond advertising, tobacco companies use flavored products to tempt kids. Thus, it makes sense to draw a line and battle the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.
Underage Tobacco Use = Innocence Undermined by Temptation
Defining the challenge at hand, the FDA believes the rise in underage tobacco use is due to characterizing flavors that make tobacco more palatable. Employing powers given by Congress, the FDA regularly adopts product standards within specific industries. Hence, this power provides them with one of the most powerful regulatory tools in relation to the tobacco industry. Given the questionable history of that industry, it is a tool that helps to save lives.
According to the FDA, the decision to ban characterizing flavors to stop underage tobacco use is based on science. Without any argument, the addictiveness of these nicotine-based products is a proven fact. As Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D., explains:
“Banning menthol—the last allowable flavor—in cigarettes and banning all flavors in cigars will help save lives, particularly among those disproportionately affected by these deadly products. With these actions, the FDA will help significantly reduce youth initiation, increase the chances of smoking cessation among current smokers, and address health disparities… Together, these actions represent powerful, science-based approaches that will have an extraordinary public health impact. Armed with strong scientific evidence, and with full support from the Administration, we believe these actions will launch us on a trajectory toward ending tobacco-related disease and death in the U.S.”
Tarzana Treatment Centers and Underage Tobacco Use
Indeed, Tarzana Treatment Centers agrees 100% with this determination by Dr. Janet Woodcock. From experience, we have seen how tobacco is not only a health danger, but also a gateway drug for teens. In 2014, the TTC receives an award from the California Department of Public Health Services for the implementation of Project Tobacco Champions. Hence, successfully augmenting TTC’s current tobacco policy, this project led to the entire institution becoming tobacco-free. Today, all of TTC’s transitional/sober living and residential facilities are tobacco free. From the beginning, Tarzana’s youth services sites have been tobacco free.
Thus, the banning of flavored tobacco products is a major step in the right direction. As Mitch Zeller, J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, points out, “These flavor standards would reduce cigarette and cigar initiation and use, reduce health disparities, and promote health equity by addressing a significant and disparate source of harm. Taken together, these policies will help save lives and improve the public health of our country as we confront the leading cause of preventable disease and death.”
Contact Tarzana Treatment Centers to Access Help Today
Yes! In complete agreement, Tarzana Treatment Centers champions these efforts by the FDA. If you have a child that is starting to experiment with tobacco products, the time to act is today. In too many cases, tobacco is the first step on a deadly road of substance use disorder. Please do not wait until harder drugs enter the picture. Thus, take action and contact us today.