is more than 28 million American adults Many Alabamians still smoke, including 618,000 residents. The habit not only harms the smoker's own health, but also exposes others to toxic smoke and drives up health care costs. Fortunately, a new law passed by the Alabama Legislature could be a step toward making things better for smokers and the state.

Throughout my professional and personal life, I have seen firsthand how tobacco damages the body and shortens lifespan: I treated patients as a physician, pursued policy solutions as former Secretary of Health and Human Services, and lost my own father to a disease I call “lucky strike lung.”

Last year alone, approximately 480,000 Americans died To protect yourself from diseases caused by smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke, this number is: Huntsville population Every 6 months.

To reduce this number, we must follow what science tells us: that while nicotine is highly addictive, it is not the direct cause of emphysema, cancer, and other lung diseases caused by smoking. That is the toxic smoke and chemicals inherent to combusted tobacco. So if we can get smokers to switch to non-combustible nicotine products, we can improve their lives and achieve better health outcomes.

This strategy, known as tobacco harm reduction, has been embraced by scientists and public health experts over the past decade. It's the inspiration for a bill introduced in the Alabama House of Representatives by Rep. Rolanda Hollis (D-Birmingham). Rep. Hollis' bill would change Alabama's tax code to reduce the tax burden on innovative smokeless nicotine products, such as heat-not-burn products, compared to combustible cigarettes.

of FDA approved The health risks associated with tobacco and nicotine products exist on a spectrum, with combustible cigarettes being by far the most harmful. Encouraging Alabama adult smokers to move down this spectrum is in the best interests of smokers and our state government.

To be clear, smoke-free products are not without risks, and strong enforcement policies and education campaigns are needed to prevent youth use. But these products also represent a promising approach to persuade existing smokers to switch. New nicotine options, such as heated tobacco products, have proven popular in other countries, and data shows that their availability on the market can lead to increased cigarette sales. fell.

Addressing tobacco harms and including tax code reform will ensure Alabama is a leader in addressing the public health challenges posed by tobacco use – a commonsense approach that will have great benefits for our state’s future.

Tom Price, MD, is the 23rd U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, a former member of Congress (GA06), and an advisor to PMI Global Services Inc.