Helping Older Americans Quit: A Harm Reduction Roadmap for Policymakers
Helping Older Americans Quit: A Harm Reduction Roadmap for Policymakers
The Smoke-Free CHOICE Coalition hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill on May 18, 2026 to discuss a simple goal: ending cigarette smoking among older Americans by providing adults who smoke with improved access to and information about smoke-free alternatives. By embracing harm reduction as a pillar of public health and targeted outreach to those who have been left behind by traditional tobacco cessation efforts, we can move more adults away from cigarettes and improve health outcomes in the process.
The panel, which was moderated by Saul Anuzis, president of the 60 Plus Association, was comprised of the following experts (viewed left to right in all videos):
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Mazen Saleh
Senior Policy Director, Healthier Communities, R Street Institute
Cheryl K. Olsen
Regulatory Scientist, Womble Bond Dickinson
Cliff Douglas
President,Tobacco Control Law & Policy Consulting
Full Smoke-Free CHOICE Coalition Briefing
HIGHLIGHTS & KEY CLIPS
The Misinformation Gap
A discussion on the fact that approximately two-thirds of American physicians incorrectly believe that nicotine causes cancer. Improving the understanding of the science of tobacco harm reduction is essential to improving public health and empowering adults who smoke to switch to better options.
The Role of Federal Agencies
Panelists discuss the need for federal health agencies to harmonize evidence-based information and move away from fear-based messaging. Correcting these public misperceptions is crucial for older smokers who often incorrectly believe smoke-free alternatives carry the same health risks as traditional cigarettes.
Empowering Older Americans
This clip highlights the disproportionate impact of misinformation on the millions of seniors who smoke. By ensuring older adults understand better options are available, policymakers can help lower overall healthcare costs while respecting individual choice.
Real-World Efficiency & Uptake
This segment addresses the gap between clinical trials and real-world results for traditional nicotine replacement therapies such as patches and gums. Panelists discuss that while these tools are effective for some, many smokers are now successfully quitting cigarettes by choosing alternative products, such as e-cigarettes, which offer a combination of efficacy and higher user uptake.
The Importance of Satisfaction
Experts explore why traditional cessation tools often fail in the “real world” compared to innovative smoke-free nicotine products. By providing “carrots” instead of just “sticks,” public health efforts can better meet the social and physical needs of those trying to move away from cigarettes.
The Human Element of Harm Reduction
Hear why millions of Americans – the majority of them older adults who smoke – are desperately seeking a path away from cigarettes to live longer, healthier lives. This segment emphasizes that adults who smoke deserve better choices.
The Reality of Alternative Products
The panel discusses the fact that the nicotine used in medicinal patches and gums is identical to the nicotine found in smoke-free nicotine products. Despite a lack of authorized options, millions of Americans are successfully using these alternatives to move away from cigarettes.
A Compassionate Path Forward
This segment addresses the inadequacy of current cessation policies that ignore the life stresses and mental health challenges of disadvantaged smokers. Helping these individuals move to reduced-risk products can benefit public health.
The Economic Burden of Smoking
Panelists break down the staggering financial and health costs of smoking, which can lead to expensive chronic conditions and lower life expectancy. Treating these preventable diseases places a heavy burden on public healthcare options such as Medicare and Medicaid.
The Innovation Bottleneck
This clip highlights how improvements at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products can help more Americans move away from cigarettes. Panelists discuss how the current process prevents science-backed, innovative smoke-free products from reaching those who could use them to quit smoking.
Modernizing Public Health Communications
A review of government websites reveals much of the information regarding harm reduction and smoking cessation is outdated or inconsistent. There is an urgent need for clear, government-wide messaging on the science and importance of tobacco harm reduction.
Meeting Smokers Where They Are
Experts discuss how aging affects nicotine metabolism, making traditional withdrawal treatments less effective for older adults who smoke. A regulated marketplace with a diverse set of smoke-free options is essential to meet these individuals where they are in their cessation journey.
The Misinformation Gap
A discussion on the fact that approximately two-thirds of American physicians incorrectly believe that nicotine causes cancer. Improving the understanding of the science of tobacco harm reduction is essential to improving public health and empowering adults who smoke to switch to better options.
The Role of Federal Agencies
Panelists discuss the need for federal health agencies to harmonize evidence-based information and move away from fear-based messaging. Correcting these public misperceptions is crucial for older smokers who often incorrectly believe smoke-free alternatives carry the same health risks as traditional cigarettes.
Empowering Older Americans
This clip highlights the disproportionate impact of misinformation on the millions of seniors who smoke. By ensuring older adults understand better options are available, policymakers can help lower overall healthcare costs while respecting individual choice.
Real-World Efficiency & Uptake
This segment addresses the gap between clinical trials and real-world results for traditional nicotine replacement therapies such as patches and gums. Panelists discuss that while these tools are effective for some, many smokers are now successfully quitting cigarettes by choosing alternative products, such as e-cigarettes, which offer a combination of efficacy and higher user uptake.
The Importance of Satisfaction
Experts explore why traditional cessation tools often fail in the “real world” compared to innovative smoke-free nicotine products. By providing “carrots” instead of just “sticks,” public health efforts can better meet the social and physical needs of those trying to move away from cigarettes.
The Human Element of Harm Reduction
Hear why millions of Americans – the majority of them older adults who smoke – are desperately seeking a path away from cigarettes to live longer, healthier lives. This segment emphasizes that adults who smoke deserve better choices.
The Reality of Alternative Products
The panel discusses the fact that the nicotine used in medicinal patches and gums is identical to the nicotine found in smoke-free nicotine products. Despite a lack of authorized options, millions of Americans are successfully using these alternatives to move away from cigarettes.
A Compassionate Path Forward
This segment addresses the inadequacy of current cessation policies that ignore the life stresses and mental health challenges of disadvantaged smokers. Helping these individuals move to reduced-risk products can benefit public health.
The Economic Burden of Smoking
Panelists break down the staggering financial and health costs of smoking, which can lead to expensive chronic conditions and lower life expectancy. Treating these preventable diseases places a heavy burden on public healthcare options such as Medicare and Medicaid.
The Innovation Bottleneck
This clip highlights how improvements at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products can help more Americans move away from cigarettes. Panelists discuss how the current process prevents science-backed, innovative smoke-free products from reaching those who could use them to quit smoking.
Modernizing Public Health Communications
A review of government websites reveals much of the information regarding harm reduction and smoking cessation is outdated or inconsistent. There is an urgent need for clear, government-wide messaging on the science and importance of tobacco harm reduction.
Meeting Smokers Where They Are
Experts discuss how aging affects nicotine metabolism, making traditional withdrawal treatments less effective for older adults who smoke. A regulated marketplace with a diverse set of smoke-free options is essential to meet these individuals where they are in their cessation journey.
