Table of Contents
Draft Framework to Support and Accelerate Smoking Cessation
Introduction
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) has released a draft framework to support and accelerate smoking cessation. This framework aims to enhance collaboration and coordination across HHS and with federal and nonfederal stakeholders to drive progress towards smoking cessation and achieve equitable outcomes for all Americans.
Smoking is the largest single driver of cancer deaths in America, causing approximately 30% of all cancer deaths. It also remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. In line with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Cancer Moonshot goals, addressing smoking cessation is crucial to reducing cancer mortality and advancing health equity.
The Draft Framework
The draft Framework was developed with input from subject matter experts across HHS and focuses on accelerating smoking cessation and reducing smoking-related health disparities. It utilizes an equity lens to support and prioritize cessation efforts for disproportionately impacted populations.
Goals of the Framework
The draft Framework is organized around six goals, which serve as a foundation for current activities and will guide HHS’ efforts to drive progress towards cessation:
- Eliminate smoking-related and cessation-related disparities
- Increase awareness and knowledge of smoking and cessation
- Strengthen and sustain cessation services and supports
- Increase access to and coverage of comprehensive, evidence-based cessation treatment
- Expand public health surveillance of smoking and cessation behaviors and strengthen performance measurement and evaluation
- Promote ongoing and innovative research to support and accelerate smoking cessation
Seeking Public Input
HHS is committed to transparency and public participation in the development of the Framework. OASH is coordinating the development of the Framework by engaging diverse stakeholders and subject matter experts. Feedback and input are being sought from individuals, associations, governmental and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and private sector entities to inform the development of the Framework.
Request for Information
Anyone can provide input by responding to the Request for Information (RFI) questions. Respondents can answer any or all of the questions provided. Submissions should be concise, using a 12-point or larger font, and include the name of the person or organization filing the comment.
Questions to Respond to:
- Are the proposed goals appropriate and relevant for addressing the needs of populations disparately affected by smoking?
- Do the broad strategies capture the key components and aspects needed to drive progress toward increasing cessation?
- Are there additional goals or broad strategies that should be included in the Framework?
- What targeted actions should HHS (Department-wide or within a specific HHS agency) take to advance these goals and strategies?
- What metrics and benchmarks should be included to ensure that the Framework drives progress?
How to Provide a Response
To submit a response to the RFI, email it as a Word document, PDF, or in the body of an email to [email protected] Please include “Request for Information: Draft HHS 2023 Framework to Support and Accelerate Smoking Cessation” in the subject line of the email.
Conclusion
The draft Framework to Support and Accelerate Smoking Cessation is an important step towards reducing smoking-related morbidity and mortality in America. Public input is crucial in shaping the final Framework, which will guide HHS’ efforts to ensure every person in America has access to evidence-based cessation treatment and supports.
For more information and updates, visit the HHS official website or contact the Toll-Free Call Center at 1-877-696-6775.