RFK Jr. Overhaul Stalls Child Tobacco Guidance for 1 Year, Freezing 14 Preventive Reviews
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 14
RFK Jr. Overhaul Stalls Child Tobacco Guidance for 1 Year, Freezing 14 Preventive Reviews
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 14
Summary
More than a year of canceled or postponed USPSTF meetings has blocked an updated recommendation on helping children quit tobacco, leaving new evidence unpublished and no binding guidance issued.
March 2025 meeting suspensions under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s overhaul prevented the panel from voting, and two taskforce leaders were fired in May even as work on the tobacco review continued in subcommittees.
Fourteen topics are now stalled, including cervical cancer screening, perinatal depression and autism screening, with former members warning of significant public-health consequences.
HHS said a planned July meeting was pushed to late August because an unprecedented number of nominations slowed member selection and onboarding, but outside groups say they still lack basic answers after a full year.
The paralysis comes as the administration has also dismantled anti-smoking efforts across government, including shutting the CDC smoking office, ending a 14-year ad campaign and loosening vape policy.