Surgeon General Reports

The U.S. Surgeon General’s Office has issued more than thirty reports on the hazards of smoking (use, exposure, prevention) since the 1st report in 1964. GASP has summarized the last three reports, focusing on key findings, conclusions and recommendations that pertain to emerging issues in tobacco control, particularly exposure to smoke.

2014 U.S. Surgeon General’s report entitled “The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General.”

2012 U.S. Surgeon General’s report entitled “Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults.”

2010 U.S. Surgeon General’s report entitled “How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease.”

Following the release of the 2014 Report, The Associated Press released an article, which details key differences between the 1964 and the 2014 report. Some of the key distinctions featured in this article include:

• In 1964, the report noted that male smokers were dying of heart disease more than nonsmokers but no link was stated. In 2014, heart disease is still a major cause of the deaths of smokers and the report stated that secondhand smoke increases the risk of a stroke.
• In 1964, it was found that smoking during pregnancy results in low birth weight. In 2014, cleft palate birth defects were added to a long list of smoking risks.
• In 1964, cigarettes are the focus of much of the concern in the report. In 2014, while cigarettes are still a concern, the report places a focus on non-traditional devices such as electronic cigarettes.
• In 1964, a call was placed to some action to reduce smoking rates. In 2014, a call was made to increase the tax on cigarettes and tobacco products finding that with every 10 percent increase in the price, there’s a 4 percent drop in smoking.

If you’re a smoker or tobacco user, review our NJ Cessation Resources.