Pictured – Surgeon General Luther Terry and the Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General of the United States. Saturday, January 11, 1964.
1957 First Statement by a Surgeon General regarding smoking and health
In 1957 Surgeon General, Dr. Leroy Burney issues the first official statement regarding smoking and health.
On July 12, 1957, after organizing a group of scientists to appraise 18 studies on smoking and health, Dr. Burney, himself a smoker, issued a report saying,
‘‘It is clear that there is an increasing and consistent body of evidence that excessive cigarette smoking is one of the causative factors in lung cancer. ”
1964 Report of the Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service.
On January 11, 1964, Surgeon General Luther Terry released a historic report to the press implicating cigarette smoking as a cause of lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic bronchitis. A longtime smoker himself, Dr. Terry, along with his Advisory Committee, unveiled Smoking and Health: Report of the Advisory Committee of the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service.
The Public Health Service, scheduled the press conference for a Saturday to help minimize the report’s effect on the stock market. On the basis of more than 7,000 articles relating to smoking and disease already available at that time in the biomedical literature, the Advisory Committee concluded that cigarette smoking is—
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- A cause of lung cancer and laryngeal cancer in men
- A probable cause of lung cancer in women
- The most important cause of chronic bronchitis
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The release of the report was the first in a series of steps, still being taken more than 40 years later, to diminish the impact of tobacco use on the health of the American people.
Soon after, the U.S. Congress adopted the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act of 1965 and the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act of 1969. These laws—
- Required a health warning on cigarette packages
- Banned cigarette advertising in the broadcasting media
- Called for an annual report on the health consequences of smoking.
In September 1965, the Public Health Service established a small unit called the National Clearinghouse for Smoking and Health. The Clearinghouse and its successor organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health, have been responsible for 29 reports on the health consequences of smoking.
Reports of the Surgeon General from 1967 – Current



William H. Stewart, M.D., Surgeon General of the United States from 1965 to 1969.
1967 – The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Public Health Service Review
1968 – The Health Consequences of Smoking: 1968 Supplement to the 1967 Public Health Service Review
1969 – The Health Consequences of Smoking: 1969 Supplement to the 1967 Public Health Service Review



Jesse Leonard Steinfeld, M.D., Surgeon General of the United States from 1969 to 1973.
1971 -The Health Consequences of Smoking
1972 – The Health Consequences of Smoking
non-neoplastic bronchopulmonary disease are reviewed and evidence is presented which helps develop our understanding of the mechanisms which are involved in these relationships. In the final three chapters, information is presented on public exposure to air pollution from t.obacco, on the relationship between tobacco and allergy, and on the harmful constituents which are found in cigarette smoke.



Merlin K. DuVal, M.D., Assistant Secretary for Health
1973 -The Health Consequences of Smoking



Charles Edwards, M.D., Assistant Secretary for Health
1974 -The Health Consequences of Smoking



Theodore Cooper, M.D., Assistant Secretary for Health
1975 -The Health Consequences of Smoking
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
David M. Burns, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
1976 -The Health Consequences of Smoking: Selected Chapters from 1971 through 1975
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
David M. Burns, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor



Julius B. Richmond, M.D., United States Surgeon General and the United States Assistant Secretary for Health
1979 -The Health Consequences of Smoking, 1977-1978
Combined 2-year report focused on smoking-related health problems unique to women. Cited studies showing that the use of oral contraceptives potentiates harmful effects of smoking on the cardiovascular system.
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
Julius B. Richmond, M.D., Surgeon General (Preface) – Chairman, FAMRI Medical Advisory Board
David M. Burns, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
1980 – The Health Consequences of Smoking for Women
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
Julius B. Richmond, M.D., Surgeon General (Preface) – Chairman, FAMRI Medical Advisory Board
David M. Burns, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
1981 – The Health Consequences of Smoking–The Changing Cigarette
FAMRI Researcher Authors, Co-Authors, Editors and Reviewers
Julius B. Richmond, M.D., Surgeon General (Preface) – Chairman, FAMRI Medical Advisory Board
David M. Burns, M.D., Scientific Editor and Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
The Legacy of Dr. Julius B. Richmond, M.D.
From 1953 to 1965, Dr. Richmond was Chairman and Professor of the Department of Pediatrics in the College of Medicine at the State University of New York (SUNY). He became Dean in 1965 and served in that capacity until 1970.
In 1965, Dr. Richmond was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson as the first National Director of Project Head Start in the Office of Economic Opportunity. Head Start became a successful year-round comprehensive child development program, with about 1,500 centers nationwide. Approximately 750,000 children continue to be enrolled in Project Head Start each year.
In 1971, Dr. Richmond was recruited by the Harvard Medical School, where he became a Professor of Psychiatry and Human Development and Chairman and Professor of the Department of Social and Preventative Medicine. Simultaneously, Harvard appointed him Professor of Public Health in the School of Public Health.
While at Harvard, Dr. Richmond was honored to receive a dual Presidential appointment by President Jimmy Carter as Surgeon General of the United States and Assistant Secretary for Health; the first person ever selected to occupy both positions, which required Senate confirmation. As a result of these appointments in the Federal public health sector, he oversaw some 50,000 employees.
In his 1979 Surgeon General’s Report, Dr. Richmond focused on tobacco control efforts and presented overwhelming scientific evidence for the multiple harms caused by smoking.
Dr. Richmond received several honorary degrees from Yale and Harvard Universities, among others. Dr. Richmond continued his professional and academic activities as the John D. MacArthur Professor of Health Policy Emeritus at Harvard. He continued to teach and write, always striving to shape health policies for the promotion of disease prevention, with emphasis on low-income children and families, all the while mentoring students and colleagues. He continued this until his last few months of life.
Throughout his nearly 70-year career, Dr. Richmond was a brilliant, caring, hands-on pediatrician. In later years, he took on the arduous task of educating the public about the dangers of tobacco and the decades-long manipulation of scientific data by the tobacco industry by testifying in open court. In doing so, Dr. Richmond voluntarily subjected himself to many days of grueling cross-examination while refusing compensation as a skilled expert witness.
Dr. Richmond served as the first Chairman of FAMRI’s Medical Advisory Board; his guidance was vital to the Board of Trustees in directing the allocation of over $200,000,000 resulting from the settlement of the class-action lawsuit. The money was used (and continues to be used) to fund grants to researchers from some of the finest biomedical institutions worldwide. In addition, FAMRI also funded five Centers of Excellence.
Dr. Richmond had one of American history’s most extraordinary and productive careers. He carefully monitored science and public education, an effort recognized by the Heinz Foundation in 2003 when he received the 10th Heinz Award for Public Policy for transforming Americans’ attitudes toward their health and improving the collective quality of life across generations.
His sterling character traits mirrored his professional accomplishments. His sense of humor was legendary, as was his humility in refusing to acknowledge his importance. In addition, he was endlessly patient, civil, tolerant, and incredibly well-informed.
FAMRI is eternally grateful for Dr. Richmond’s leadership, insights, and the pure pleasure of his company.



C. Everett Koop, M.D., Surgeon General of the United States.
1982 – The Health Consequences of Smoking – Cancer
FAMRI Researcher Authors, Co-Authors, Editors and Reviewers
David M. Burns, M.D., Scientific Editor – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
1983 The Health Consequences of Smoking–Cardiovascular Disease
FAMRI Researcher Authors, Co-Authors, Editors and Reviewers
David M. Burns, M.D., Scientific Editor – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
1984 – The Health Consequences of Smoking–Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
FAMRI Researcher Authors, Co-Authors, Editors and Reviewers
David M. Burns, M.D., Scientific Editor – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
James L. Repace, Contributor, – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Jonathan M. Samet, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
1985 – The Health Consequences of Smoking–Cancer and Chronic Lung Disease in the Workplace
FAMRI Researcher Authors, Co-Authors, Editors and Reviewers
David M. Burns, M.D., Scientific Editor – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Jonathan M. Samet, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
1986 – The Health Consequences of Involuntary Smoking
FAMRI Researcher Authors, Co-Authors, Editors and Reviewers
Neal Benowitz, M.D., Contributing Author –Director, FAMRI Center of Excellence at UCSF
David M. Burns, M.D., Scientific Editor – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
James L. Repace, Contributor, – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Nancy Rigotti, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Jonathan M. Samet, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
1988 – The Health Consequences of Smoking–Nicotine Addiction
• Cigarettes and other forms of tobacco are addicting.
• Nicotine is the drug in tobacco that causes addiction.
• The pharmacologic and behavioral processes that determine tobacco addiction are similar to those that determine addiction to drugs such as heroin and cocaine.
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
David M. Burns, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Gregory N. Connolly, D.M.D., M.P.H., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Michael Cummings, Ph.D. Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished
Ronald M. Davis, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Michael C. Fiore, M.D., Contributing Author – Member – FAMRI Medical Advisory Board
Nancy Rigotti, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Jonathan M. Samet, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor



Antonia Coello Novello, M.D., Surgeon General of the United States
1990 – The Health Benefits of Smoking Cessation
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
David M. Burns, M.D., Contributor – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Gregory N. Connolly, D.M.D., M.P.H., Contributor r – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Michael Cummings, Ph.D. Contributor – FAMRI Distinguished
Ronald M. Davis, M.D., Editor – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Jonathan M. Samet, M.D., Editor and Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor



M. Joycelyn Elders, M.D., Surgeon General of the United States
1994 -Preventing Tobacco Use Among Young People
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
Jonathan M. Samet, M.D., Contributing Editor and Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Michael Cummings, Ph.D. Contributing Author and Reviewer – FAMRI Distinguished Professor; Member FAMRI Medical Advisory Board
Stanton Glantz, Ph.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Pamela Ling, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Grantee



David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., Surgeon General of the United States
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
Neal Benowitz, M.D., Contributing Author –Director, FAMRI Center of Excellence at UCSF
Jonathan Samet, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Michael B. Siegel, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
2000 – Reducing Tobacco Use: a Report of the Surgeon General
FAMRI Researcher Authors and
Co-Authors
Michael C. Fiore, M.D., Contributing Editor – Member – FAMRI Medical Advisory Board
Richard A. Daynard, J.D., Ph.D. – Contributing Author – FAMRI Grantee
Mark Gottlieb, J.D. – Contributing Author – FAMRI Grantee
2001 – Women and Smoking, A Report of the Surgeon General
• An estimated 27,000 more women died of lung cancer than of breast cancer in 2000.
• Three million women have died prematurely because of smoking since 1980, and on average, these women died 14 years prematurely.
• Twenty-two percent of women smoked cigarettes in 1998.
• And 30 percent of high school senior girls reported smoking in the past month, according to recent information.
This report found that women who smoke have a lower bone density and experience a premature decline of lung function. These women also are at increased risk of conception delay and both primary and secondary infertility. For pregnant women who smoke, the risk is increased for low birth weight, perinatal mortality—both stillbirth and neonatal deaths—and sudden infant death syndrome after the child is born.Concluded that the increased likelihood of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and reproductive health problems among female smokers make tobacco use a serious women’s health issue.
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
Neal Benowitz, M.D., Contributing Author – Director, FAMRI Center of Excellence at UCSF
David Burns, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Alex V. Prokhorov, M.D. Contributing Author – FAMRI Grantee
Margaret Spitz, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor



Richard Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., Surgeon General of the United States
2004 – The Health Consequences of Smoking
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
Jonathan M. Samet, M.D., Contributing Editor – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Mark D. Eisner, M.D., Ph.D., Contributing Author, FAMRI Center of Excellence at UCSF
Jonathan M. Samet, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Ira Tager, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Center of Excellence at UCSF
2006 – The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
Jonathan M. Samet, M.D., Contributing Editor – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Stanton Glantz, Ph.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
- Katharine Hammond, Ph.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Stephen S. Hecht, Ph.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor



Regina Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A., Surgeon General of the United States
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
David Sidransky, M.D., Senior Scientific Editor – Chairman, FAMRI Medical Advisory Board
Neal Benowitz, M.D., Contributing Editor and Contributing Author -Director, FAMRI Center of Excellence at UCSF
Stephen S. Hecht, Ph.D., Contributing Editor and Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Jonathan M. Samet, M.D., Contributing Editor and Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
David M. Burns, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Nancy Rigotti, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Margaret Spitz, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
2012 – Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
David Sidransky, M.D., Senior Scientific Editor – Chairman, FAMRI Medical Advisory Board
Neal Benowitz, M.D., Contributing Editor and Contributing Author -Director, FAMRI Center of Excellence at UCSF
Stephen S. Hecht, Ph.D., Contributing Editor and Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Jonathan M. Samet, M.D., Contributing Editor and Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
David M. Burns, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Nancy Rigotti, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Margaret Spitz, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor



Boris D. Lushniak, M.D., MPH, RADM, Acting Surgeon General of the United States
2014 -50th Anniversary of the Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
Jonathan M. Samet, M.D., Contributing Editor – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Neal Benowitz, M.D., Contributing Author – Director, FAMRI Center of Excellence at UCSF
David M. Burns, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
- Michael Cummings, Ph.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor, Member FAMRI Medical Advisory Board
Richard A. Daynard, J.D., Ph.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Grantee
Mark D. Eisner, M.D., Ph.D., Contributing Author
Mark Gottlieb, J.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Grantee
Stephen S. Hecht, Ph.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
David T. Levy, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Grantee
Nancy Rigotti, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Jonathan M. Samet, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Steven D. Shapiro, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
David Sidransky, M.D., Contributing Author – Chairman, FAMRI Medical Advisory Board



Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A., Surgeon General of the United States
2016 – E-cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
Pamela Ling, M.D., Contributing Editor – FAMRI Grantee
Jonathan Samet, M.D., Contributing Editor and Contributing Author – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Mark Travers, M.D., Contributing Author – FAMRI Center of Excellence at UCSF



Jerome M. Adams, M.D., M.P.H. Surgeon General of the United States
2020 – Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General
FAMRI Researcher Authors and Co-Authors
Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General, 2020
Jonathan M. Samet, M.D., Contributing Editor – FAMRI Distinguished Professor
Michael C. Fiore, M.D., Contributing Author – Member, FAMRI Medical Advisory Board
David T. Levy, Contributing Author – FAMRI Grantee