See the forest for the trees: the short-sightedness of a singular focus on e-cigarettes

By Darlene Huang | Leave a Comment

The 2019 lunar new year was supposed to be an unlucky year for me based on Chinese astrology. I don’t usually give much weight to these horoscope-like predictions, but my awareness was heightened this year with my own wedding taking place earlier this month. Thankfully, it was a beautiful day, and I can report no […]

Posted in FDA, Food and Drug Law, Non-Communicable Diseases, Tobacco ; Tagged: e-cigarettes, tobacco control, tobacco endgame.

07.11.19

What I wish I knew 15 years ago about American Spirits cigarettes

By Darlene Huang | Leave a Comment

I used to wait tables. I started as a teen at my family’s restaurants before smoke-free workplace laws swept the nation. Like most restaurants at the time, we had a smoking section, and I oftentimes was assigned to it. I was thrilled when the city eventually adopted a clean indoor air ordinance, and a few […]

Posted in FDA, Food and Drug Law, Non-Communicable Diseases, Tobacco ; Tagged: misperceptions, regulatory science, tobacco control.

05.15.19

A tale of two sentiments two weeks after FDA permits the sale of IQOS

By Darlene Huang | Leave a Comment

It’s been just over two weeks since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the sale of Philip Morris’ IQOS heated tobacco product (HTP) system in regular tobacco and menthol flavors. It’s also been exactly two years since the premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) for this product that creates an aerosol (not smoke) from […]

Posted in FDA, Food and Drug Law, Non-Communicable Diseases, Tobacco ; Tagged: continuum of risk, heated tobacco, tobacco control.

04.04.19

Reflecting on progress made in tobacco and nicotine products regulation under FDA Commissioner Gottlieb

By Darlene Huang | Leave a Comment

Tomorrow is Commissioner Gottlieb’s last day on the job at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and he’s been treating these last few days much like he has his entire two-year tenure: with carefully thought out and coordinated communication about both in-process and potential future FDA actions. While the agency has been hard at […]

Posted in FDA, Food and Drug Law, Non-Communicable Diseases, Tobacco ; Tagged: e-cigarettes, medical products, nicotine, tobacco control.

02.11.19

Reality check: Cigarettes are the only reason reduced risk tobacco products are even a thing

By Darlene Huang | Leave a Comment

First, a confession. I’m a total public health nerd. I’ve been absolutely captivated by the prevention of disease at a population level since I was introduced to the concept late in college. From the science that drives it to the programs, policies, and laws that either embrace or hinder it and everything in between and […]

Posted in FDA, Food and Drug Law, Non-Communicable Diseases, Tobacco ; Tagged: Harm Reduction, misperceptions, modified risk tobacco products, smokeless tobacco, tobacco control.

01.25.19

Develop your skills blending law, science, and policy as a Tobacco Regulatory Science Fellow at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

By Darlene Huang | Leave a Comment

At my high school graduation, a friend and I had a short dialogue speaking to our graduating class about where our futures were headed. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I asked her. She confidently answered, “A horse.” After an awkward moment or two went by, she continued with, “Or at […]

Posted in FDA, Food and Drug Law, Non-Communicable Diseases, Tobacco ; Tagged: nicotine, regulatory science, tobacco control.

12.11.18

Furthering Tobacco Control Requires a Broader Perspective

By Darlene Huang | Leave a Comment

Tobacco control efforts in the U.S. have predominantly been a state, local, and increasingly tribal endeavor with landmark federal reports and legislation spurring or guiding local actions. When I started in tobacco control at the local level in 2006, the CDC’s Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs was our roadmap. It focused our efforts […]

Posted in FDA, Food and Drug Law, Non-Communicable Diseases, Tobacco ; Tagged: drugs, medical devices, medical products, nicotine, Pharmaceuticals, tobacco control.

08.10.18

Preventive Care and The Health Coach Revolution

By Mehgan Gallagher | Leave a Comment

There has been a recent surge of talk about health coaches popping up in gyms, doctors’ offices, and in magazines. A health coach is someone who is educated in the field of exercise, nutrition, diet, and overall well-being. The Institute for Integrative Nutritiondefines a health coach as “a wellness authority and supportive mentor who motivates […]

Posted in Health reform, Non-Communicable Diseases, Resources ; Tagged: Diet, health, NCDs, nutrition, obesity, public health.

07.27.18

Progress Towards Addressing Health Challenges and Inequity in Namibia

By Drew Aiken | Leave a Comment

Last week, the Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services launched the 2018-2022 National Strategic Plan and held the inaugural National Health Assembly. The National Health Assembly is a forum to discuss health issues and challenges in the country, including the development of the UHC framework which is presently underway. National Health Assemblies have […]

Posted in Global Health, Health and Human Rights, Human Rights, Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, TB ; Tagged: global health equity, namibia.

05.01.18

Utilizing Usable Technology to Improve Health Outcomes

By Mehgan Gallagher | Leave a Comment

I recently experienced one of the biggest scares of my life when my dad wound up in the emergency room for his failing heart. My dad, who is 59 years old, suffered a heart attack seven years ago around this time of year. In an eerie coincidence, the day he had his heart attack, […]

Posted in Non-Communicable Diseases ; Tagged: NCDs, non-communicable diseases, public health.

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The views reflected in this blog are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent those of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law or Georgetown University. This blog is solely informational in nature, and not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed and retained attorney in your state or country.

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