AGD Urges Appropriations Committees to Increase Funding to Fight Tobacco-Use

  • by AGD Washington Advocacy Representative
  • Apr 1, 2021
AGD joined allies in sending letters to the leaders of the House and Senate subcommittees that allocate funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), calling for $310 million in funding in FY2022 for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH).

The CDC's OSH works on promoting tobacco-use prevention and cessation, intending to reduce tobacco use among disparate populations and reduce the cost of treating tobacco-caused disease. The toll that tobacco-use has on our nation's health has been highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, as smokers are at a high risk of complications if they contract COVID-19.

Tobacco use has long been the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. Each year, it kills more than 480,000 Americans and is responsible for approximately $170 billion in health care costs.

Impact on General Dentistry: The use of tobacco products is inextricably linked to an individual's oral health, as it increases the risk of developing oral cancers, periodontal disease, and tooth decay. AGD supports various efforts to curb tobacco-related product use.