Changing Attitudes toward Smoking

Milestones in stopping smoking 1961: The American Lung Association writes to President Kennedy, highlighting the increasing evidence of the health hazards of smoking and urges him to establish a commission to address the problem.

Milestones in stopping smoking 1964: The first Surgeon General’s report on smoking is published. This report recognized the link between smoking and lung cancer.

Milestones in stopping smoking 1966: Health warnings first appear on cigarette packs in response to congressional legislation. The warnings read, “Caution—cigarette smoking may be hazardous to your health.”

Milestones in stopping smoking 1971: Congress bans smoking advertisements on radio and television.

Milestones in stopping smoking 1975: The Minnesota Clean Indoor Act goes into place. This is the first statewide law to require separate indoor places for smokers.

Milestones in stopping smoking 1989: Congress prohibits smoking on airplanes.

Milestones in stopping smoking 1997: Congress bans all cigarette advertisements on billboards and public transportation as well as using cartoon characters in ads.

Milestones in stopping smoking 1998: California first state in the nation to ban all smoking in bars, restaurants and other public places.

Role of Scientists in Informing the Public Scientists in the early 20th century used to think that smoking tobacco was good for ventilation.

Role of Scientists in Informing the Public In the 1930’s and 40’s even a majority of medical doctor’s smoked.

Role of Scientists in Informing the Public As epidemiological evidence mounted, the Surgeon General used evidence from more than 7,000 studies to link smoking to chronic bronchitis and several types of cancer.

Role of Scientists in Informing the Public Now smoking is in major decline in developed nations all over the world, with nearly half of all adults who ever smoked having quit.

Role of Scientists in Informing the Public This is a credit not just to the research scientists but also the lawyers that had an understanding of the science behind the findings and could communicate those to policy makers who ended up changing the laws.