▸ Reducing the percentage of adult cigarette smokers (from 20.6% to 12.0%).
▸ Reducing the percentage of adult users of smokeless tobacco (from 2.3% to 0.3%).
▸ Reducing the percentage of adult cigar smokers (from 2.2% to 0.2%).
In adolescents, goals include reducing the percentage of those who used tobacco in the past month from 26% to 21%, and reducing the percentages who said they used cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and cigars in the past month from 19.5% to 16%, from 8.9% to 6.9%, and from 14% to 8%, respectively.
Initiation of tobacco use among children, adolescents, and young adults is also addressed, with a goal of reducing initiation of tobacco use in general among those aged 12-17 years from 7.7% to 5.7%, and among those aged 18-25 years from 10.8% to 8.8%.
Other goals regarding tobacco use include increasing smoking cessation attempts by adult and adolescent smokers, and increasing smoking cessation during pregnancy.
Numerous goals are also set in regard to health system changes, and social and environmental changes.
For example, the report calls for increases in comprehensive Medicaid insurance coverage for nicotine dependency treatment, increased tobacco screening and cessation counseling in health care settings, reductions in the proportion of nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke, increases in the proportion of persons covered by indoor worksite policies that prohibit smoking, and increases in tobacco-free environments in school facilities and at school events.
Additionally, efforts should be made to eliminate state laws that preempt stronger local tobacco control laws, to reduce illegal sales to minors, and to reduce exposure to tobacco advertising and promotion among 6th-12th graders.
Also, federal and state taxes on tobacco products should be increased, the report states.
Healthy People 2020 has been in development since 2007. A panel of health experts drew on input from public and private health officials, preventive medicine experts, representatives from 2,000 health organizations, and thousands of public comments.
The initiative expands upon topics from Healthy People 2010, includes a number of new topic areas, and will incorporate the Internet and other technology media in getting the message out about disease prevention and health promotion.
The ultimate goals, according to HHS officials, are to avoid preventable diseases in the first place and to promote improved quantity and quality of life for all Americans.
