Education on smoking alternatives justified but not top priority, says US FDA

Educating consumers about reduced-risk alternatives to smoking is worthwhile – but encouraging them to use smoking-cessation methods that are “scientifically shown to be safe and effective” should still take priority, according to the senior tobacco control official at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In a commentary published in the scientific journal Addiction, Brian King – director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) – discussed opportunities for educating smokers about the risks of tobacco products.