OP-ED: R. Lee Currie, Jr.: NC lawmakers are leading one of the few bipartisan public health reforms happening in Washington.
North Carolina has long been at the center of America's tobacco story. Today, members of our congressional delegation are helping lead an important new chapter—one focused on reducing the harm caused by smoking and ensuring adult tobacco users have access to scientifically reviewed alternatives.
At a time when bipartisan cooperation has become increasingly rare in Washington, North Carolina lawmakers from both parties have found common ground on an issue that affects millions of Americans. Through the Congressional Tobacco Harm Reduction Caucus, members of our delegation are working to promote a more transparent, efficient regulatory process while expanding access to lower-risk alternatives for adults who would otherwise continue smoking cigarettes.
Their efforts deserve attention.
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States. While prevention and cessation remain important goals, the reality is that millions of adults continue to smoke. Public policy should acknowledge that reality and support practical solutions that can help reduce the risks associated with combustible cigarettes.
That is where tobacco harm reduction comes in.
The science behind harm reduction is straightforward. Smoke-free tobacco and nicotine products expose users to significantly fewer harmful substances than cigarettes. Recognizing this, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized certain products as Modified Risk Tobacco Products after determining they are appropriate for the protection of public health and can help adults who smoke transition away from cigarettes.
No one should have to choose between maintaining the status quo and waiting years for innovation to reach the marketplace. Adults who smoke deserve access to products that have been rigorously reviewed and supported by science.
Yet too often, promising smoke-free products become trapped in an FDA review process that can take years to complete. While regulators have an important responsibility to thoroughly evaluate new products, excessive delays can limit access to alternatives that may help adult smokers move away from combustible cigarettes.
Fortunately, there are signs of progress.
Recent efforts by FDA leadership to modernize and streamline product reviews are steps in the right direction. Initiatives aimed at improving efficiency while maintaining scientific rigor can help ensure that regulators focus resources where they matter most and provide timely decisions for products seeking authorization.
Congress has also begun paying closer attention. The bipartisan Tobacco Harm Reduction Caucus has grown rapidly since its founding and now includes lawmakers from across the political spectrum who recognize that innovation and public health are not mutually exclusive.
North Carolina has emerged as a leader in that effort.
Representative Don Davis serves as co-chair of the caucus, while Representatives Greg Murphy, Addison McDowell, and Pat Harrigan have joined the effort to promote harm reduction and regulatory reform. Together, they are helping elevate a conversation that too often gets lost in partisan debates.
For North Carolina, the issue is especially significant. Our state ranks first in the nation in tobacco production and has long played a central role in shaping tobacco policy. As innovation continues to transform the industry, North Carolina has an opportunity to help shape policies that support both public health goals and scientific advancement.
The caucus has called for greater transparency and accountability in the FDA review process, and its members are right to do so. Adults who smoke deserve access to a range of scientifically evaluated alternatives, and regulators should provide clear, timely decisions based on evidence.
FDA has already authorized multiple smoke-free products after determining they meet the agency's public health standards. That progress demonstrates that science-based regulation can work. The next step is ensuring the agency continues building on that momentum by addressing review backlogs and providing greater regulatory certainty for manufacturers and consumers alike.
North Carolina's representatives are helping lead that conversation in Washington. In an era when bipartisan accomplishments can be hard to find, this is one effort that deserves continued support.
North Carolina helped build America's tobacco economy. Today, our leaders have an opportunity to help shape its future—one focused on science, innovation, and helping adults who smoke move away from cigarettes. That's a goal worth pursuing.
By R. Lee Currie, Jr., former Executive Director of the North Carolina Republican Party and former Executive Director of the Foundation for Economic Education
