Tobacco: For Consenting Adults in Private Only

The health hazards of tobacco have been on the American Medical Association's (AMA) agenda at least since the very first issue ofThe Journal, on July 14, 1883, which included an anecdotal account of the harmful effects of smoking by children. 1 The AMA's official policies on tobacco have been developing steadily, along with our advancing knowledge of what has been proved to be one of the most damaging substances freely available in our society. Landmark scientific articles linking smoking with lung cancer 2 and many other diseases 3 were published inThe Journal; evidence mounted in many other places as well. In June 1963, the AMA House of Delegates formally recognized the deleterious effect of various toxic substances, including tobacco, on health 4 ; year later, the House called smoking itself a serious health hazard. 5 AMA's Efforts in the 1980s The AMA has continued over the years to attempt