On the recordJanuary 15, 2014
on January 11, 1964, 50 years ago this week, Dr. Luther Terry released the landmark Surgeon General's report-- the first of its kind--on smoking and health. The report established conclusive links between smoking and lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, coronary heart disease, low fetal birthweight among women who smoked during pregnancy, and an overall 70 percent increase in the early mortality rate of smokers over nonsmokers. Today I would like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of Dr. Luther in issuing that report. I want to applaud the historic, life-saving accomplishments that stemmed from it. And yes, I want to call attention to the work we have remaining in front of us to end the scourge of tobacco use once and for all. Mr. President, this 50th anniversary gives us an opportunity to reflect on one of the monumental public health successes of our time. New research released just last week reports that, from 1964 to 2012, at least 8 million premature, smoking-related deaths were prevented. That's eight million Americans who otherwise may not have lived long enough to see their kids graduate from high school, to meet their grandchildren, or to enjoy retirement. In fact, among these 8 million people, they lived an extra 20 years, on average. Successful tobacco prevention programs have led to dramatic reductions in smoking rates. In 1964, about 42 percent of all American adults smoked tobacco on a regular basis.…
