米国臨床腫瘍学会（ASCO）は1月17日、喫煙と健康に関する公衆衛生局長官レポートの50周年を受けて会長声明を発表した。

　1964年に初めての喫煙と健康に関する公衆衛生局長官レポートが発表された当時、米国の男性の半数および女性の3分の1が喫煙しており、肺癌が死因の第1位となっていた。このレポートは喫煙の健康リスクを取り上げ、医師や政治家などに喫煙に対する断固とした措置を取るよう促すものであった。

　「この50年間で喫煙率は大幅に低下した。喫煙や副流煙の危険性についての意識が高まり、連邦政府や各州で喫煙を規制する法律が可決されている。しかし依然として毎年44万人の米国人がたばこを原因として死亡しており、それに関する費用は年間1930億ドルに上る」と、同学会会長は指摘する。

　さらに、「癌患者の場合、喫煙による治療効果の低下、再発率の上昇、2次原発癌、QOLの低下、強度の副作用といった問題がある。禁煙を通常の癌治療と統合し、必要な支援を行っていくことが重要」と述べ、喫煙問題に対するこれまでの公衆衛生局のリーダーシップと絶え間ない尽力を称賛。同学会としても引き続きたばこに起因する疾病の撲滅に向けて取り組んでいくとしている。
ASCO Statement on 50th Anniversary of the First U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 17, 2014

Contact:

 

Aaron Tallent

571-483-1371

Aaron.Tallent@asco.org

Statement by American Society of Clinical Oncology

President Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP

“When the first Surgeon General’s Report was released in 1964, more than half of American men and over a third of women smoked and lung cancer had gone from an obscure disease to a leading cause of death. In issuing this pioneering report summarizing the known health risks of smoking, our nation’s researchers, policymakers and physicians were galvanized to take bold action against one of public health’s greatest threats.

“In the 50 years since the report’s release, tobacco use has declined considerably. More research on the harmful effects of smoking, as well as the dangers of secondhand smoke, have raised awareness and discouraged large numbers of Americans from using tobacco. Most importantly, it has prompted federal, state and local government to pass laws regulating cigarettes, protecting Americans from secondhand smoke exposure and establishing excise taxes and other regulations that discourage teens from starting to use tobacco.

“Unfortunately, tobacco still kills more than 440,000 Americans each year and costs our economy close to $193 billion annually. We must continue to be vigilant in our fight against this deadly addiction. Our efforts to fight the largest preventable cause of death and disability cannot cease or diminish.

“Smoking cessation remains especially critical for cancer patients. Patients who continue smoking after a cancer diagnosis are at risk for worse treatment outcomes, increased cancer recurrence, second primary cancers, poor quality of life and more side effects than patients who do not smoke. It is crucial that tobacco cessation be integrated into daily oncology care and that smokers be given the necessary support and resources to quit. ASCO has issued recommendations on public policy needs, provider education and research in this area and continues to collaborate with physicians and lawmakers to see that they are implemented.

“We commend the office of the U.S. Surgeon General for its leadership and tireless efforts on this critically important public health issue. This milestone represents an opportunity to both celebrate accomplishments and reflect on the need for additional efforts to reduce tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. ASCO will continue to work with the medical community until tobacco-related disease is ultimately eliminated and fewer people die from its use.

# # #

Additional Resources:
•ASCO’s Tobacco Cessation and Control Resources