CTP Director’s New Commentary on Relative Risks of Tobacco Products

In April, Nature Medicine published a new commentary (open access link) co-authored by CTP Director Brian King, Ph.D., M.P.H., and researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina discussing considerations for healthcare providers around talking to adults about the relative risks of different tobacco products.

The commentary reinforces that youth should not use any form of tobacco products. Among adults who smoke, it stresses the importance of using evidence-based cessation methods, including FDA-approved pharmacotherapies, as a first line treatment. For adults who smoke and have tried proven cessation methods with no success, medical providers may consider educating patients about the relative risks of tobacco products and the potential health benefits of switching completely to a lower-risk product. Among patients who smoke, the authors note it is critical to reinforce the importance of complete transitioning away from smoking to exclusive e-cigarette use.

In conjunction with this release, CTP announced that it also launched a new webpage aimed at educating the public about the relative risks of tobacco products.

New Leadership Within CTP

In March, CTP announced its selection of Natasha Phelps, J.D., as the Center’s Associate Director for Policy and Partnerships. Ms. Phelps comes to CTP and FDA from The Center for Black Health & Equity, where she served as the Director of Equity-Centered Policies. In that position, Ms. Phelps directed work on equity-centered law and policy on a local, state, and federal level by leading a team of policy managers and other staff in collaboration with external public health, public interest, and health industry partners. Before that role, Ms. Phelps spent five years at the Public Health Law Center as Lead Senior Staff Attorney where she specialized in commercial tobacco law and policy.

In April, CTP announced its selection of Anne Rancourt as the next Director of CTP’s Office of Health Communication and Education. Ms. Rancourt comes to CTP from the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health where she serves as the Communications Director. Ms. Rancourt has more than two decades of experience working in strategic communications, behavior change programs and journalism, including nearly 14 years within the federal government. Ms. Rancourt has extensive experience developing and implementing science-based public health education campaigns, including among priority populations.

CTP is looking forward to working with Ms. Phelps and Ms. Rancourt to meaningfully advance our mission to make tobacco-related death and disease part of our nation’s past, not our future.