Hot Seat: Former HHS Secretary Tom Price advocates for tobacco harm reduction in Oklahoma

In this edition of the "Hot Seat," political analyst Scott Mitchell and former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price discuss tobacco harm reduction in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma has long grappled with high smoking rates and the health consequences that follow. Price emphasized the serious health risks posed by smoking. He explained that tobacco use leads to significant disease and death, both in Oklahoma and across the nation. "Nearly a half million people every year die as a consequence of [smoking]," Price said. "In Oklahoma, approximately 8,000 individuals die every year from tobacco, and $3.6 billion is spent on smoking-related diseases."

Harm Reduction: A New Approach

Tobacco harm reduction refers to the use of safer alternatives to smoking, such as heated tobacco products, which allow smokers to satisfy their nicotine cravings without the harmful effects of combustible tobacco. Price noted that harm reduction is a concept people use in everyday life, like wearing seatbelts or using sunscreen.

He highlighted the importance of providing alternatives for smokers who are unable to quit. "Nicotine is highly addictive...but it doesn't cause disease," he said.

Price explained that it is the heated chemical in the smoke from cigarettes that is dangerous. "If we can move smokers to smoke-free products like heated tobacco, we can reduce diseases and save lives."

Is Vaping Harm Reduction?

When asked about the effectiveness of vaping as a harm reduction strategy, Price clarified that while vaping is an alternative to smoking, you still get some of the same chemical reactions you would from smoking.

Heated Tobacco Products: The Gold Standard

Price identified heated tobacco products and nicotine oral pouches as the gold standard in harm reduction. These products provide nicotine without the harmful effects of cigarette smoke. "If we can get individuals to switch from smoking to these alternatives, we save lives and money," he said.

He pointed to scientific studies from these countries, which show that individuals who use heated tobacco products for just two weeks are 70% less likely to return to smoking. "That's a major accomplishment," Price said.

Support for Legislation in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, Price has been advocating for Senate Bill 680, which would create a financial incentive for individuals to switch from smoking to heated tobacco products. "This bill would create a subcategory in the tax code for heated tobacco products," Price explained.