Published: October 30, 2020

Advocacy in Action: Academy’s Latest Anti-Smoking Efforts

The AAO-HNS supports state and federal legislation and regulations that help reduce the use of tobacco products and exposure to secondhand smoke in order to promote healthy environments and lifestyles for the public. Over the course of the past year, the Academy has worked to promote a variety of anti-smoking-related topics that have an overall impact in protecting children, youth, and adults from the consequences of tobacco and e-cigarette use.

The AAO-HNS supports state and federal legislation and regulations that help reduce the use of tobacco products and exposure to secondhand smoke in order to promote healthy environments and lifestyles for the public. Over the course of the past year, the Academy has worked to promote a variety of anti-smoking-related topics that have an overall impact in protecting children, youth, and adults from the consequences of tobacco and e-cigarette use.

In February 2020, the Academy along with the Tobacco Partners Coalition, worked to advance H.R. 2339, the “Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act,” through the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill would prohibit all flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, increase the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 21, ban all non-face-to-face sales for tobacco products, and protect kids from the marketing of tobacco products. Additionally, in September 2019, the Academy sent a letter to President Trump and the First Lady supporting the Administration’s plan to remove all non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes from the market, including mint and menthol flavors, and urging the President to reject tobacco industry pleas to weaken this proposal.

More recently, on October 15, 2020, the AAO-HNS, together with 16 other medical professional societies and public health advocacy organizations, submitted an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to uphold the FDA’s ability to require graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging. The brief highlights that graphic warnings, as mandated by the FDA through the Final Rule “Required Warnings for Cigarette Packages and Advertisements,” are essential for effective communication to the public about the extraordinary range of health harms resultant from smoking.”

The Great American Smokeout is November 19, 2020.

For more patient information about secondhand smoke and children, vaping, and other ENT-related conditions impacted by smoking and vaping, go to ENThealth.org.

More from November 2020 – Vol. 39, No. 10

Smokeout

Vaping’s Harmful Effects on Our Patients

Vaping, the use of e-cigarettes or other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), has increased in recent years as compared with traditional cigarettes. There are multiple harmful effects of vaping, and for adolescents in particular, there are special concerns for harm. Despite recent regulations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), loopholes still exist that allow for sale of flavored ENDS devices to youth.

Nov Feature

Bringing Together the World of Otolaryngology Virtually with the 2020 International Regional Roundtables

During the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience, the International Advisory Board (IAB) General Assembly includes Regional Roundtable Discussions representing Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Attendees from these geographic regions share ideas, best practices, and insights on issues facing the specialty.

Hoermann

Visions and Goals

From 1993 to 2017 I served as head and chair of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (ORLHNS) and Sleep Centre at the Mannheim University Teaching Hospital in Mannheim, Germany. Following this I became head of the International Patient Office at the same hospital.

International

Childhood Impressions Set the Path for Lifelong Experiences and Contributions

My life has always had an international flavor. Both sets of grandparents came from Europe in the early 20th century, and my father’s parents never learned to speak English. Family affairs, particularly at the holiday season, were very old world. My dad, Dr. David Myers, was chair of the Department of Otorhinology at Temple University School of Medicine.

Zender

Spotlight on Humanitarian Efforts: Chad A. Zender, MD

The Spotlight on Humanitarian Efforts recognizes AAO-HNS members who are contributing their time and expertise to otolaryngologic patient needs around the globe. These individuals demonstrate integrity and devotion to humanity through a self-giving spirit. They are outstanding models to emulate in fostering a globally otolaryngology community. For this spotlight, the AAO-HNSF International Affairs Program would like to spotlight Chad A. Zender, MD, for his work with Head and Neck Outreach (HNO)

Kmucha

Perspective: The Replacement of Medicare Carrier Advisory Committees Is a Replacement of the Physician Voice

I must admit that when Steve T. Kmucha, MD, JD, sent me this comprehensive historical review of the Carrier Advisory Committees (CAC) all the way through their demise, it brought back many good memories of my many years on the Tennessee CAC.

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What Is Changing for E/M Codes in 2021: Are You Prepared?

As reported in the June Bulletin, changes to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) coding structure for office or outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) services will take effect on January 1, 2021.

Netterville

PRACTICE PROFILE: Dedicated to Serving Underserved Patients with ENT Care

James L. Netterville, MD, has been with the Department of Otolaryngology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center since 1986. As the Mark C. Smith professor of otolaryngology and director of the Division of Head and Neck Surgery, he promotes education and research in both voice disorders and head and neck oncologic surgery, his specialty. In addition, he is the associate director of the Bill Wilkerson Center for Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences.

COVID-19

COVID-19 and Racial Disparities: An Update

Early in the pandemic, the widespread, disproportionate impact of COVID-19 was evident among minorities, particularly Hispanic, Black, and Native American communities in the United States. This has been repeatedly demonstrated through different types of analyses, including evaluations of relative cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

HumanitarianGrant

Humanitarian Travel Grant: Medical Mission in Kenya

I want to express my gratitude for the AAO-HNSF Humanitarian Travel Grant that allowed me to travel to Kenya and participate in efforts at the AIC Kijabe Hospital. I had the privilege of working with Dr. David Nolen’s practice, an alumnus of my own residency program. This experience was even more valuable than I had expected, and I look forward to applying the skills I gained, and lessons learned.

Wio

At the forefront

The 10th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Section for Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) and the WIO Endowment (WIOE) was held on October 3, during the AAO-HNSF 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting & OTO Experience.

125Campaign

AAO-HNS/F Celebrates 125 Years

This year the AAO-HNS/F is celebrating our 125th anniversary as a specialty organization. We are planning a number of events to commemorate our history that will culminate at our AAO-HNSF 2021 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience in Los Angeles, California, October 3-6, 2021.

Denneny

Real-World Impacts on Otolaryngology Practice Models: Pitfalls to Consider

As we approach the end of one of the most disruptive and tumultuous years of the last century, hoping to regain some degree of equilibrium, it is important to recognize and analyze not only the major, well-known consequences of COVID-19, social unrest, natural disasters, and divisive politics, but also some of the under-recognized impacts on our medical providers.

Bradford

Why Going Global Is More Important Than Ever

I had the great honor and privilege to serve on the Global Panel Presentation at the International Advisory Board (IAB) General Assembly held during the AAO-HNSF 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting.