SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Electronic cigarette maker NJOY has announced that Dr. Richard Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, has been appointed a member of NJOY's board of directors and chair of the scientific advisory committee. Carmona was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate as the 17th Surgeon General of the United States, serving from 2002 to 2006.
Carmona will provide strategic counsel to the company on public health and regulatory issues and spearhead NJOY's research on the harm reduction potential of e-cigarettes.
As one of the nation's leading public health experts, Carmona is well positioned to support this effort, said NJOY, which added that he comes to the company with knowledge on the effects of second-hand tobacco smoke, as outlined in his 2006 Surgeon General's Report on the health effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.
NJOY is committed to working with regulators and the medical community to advance research and scientific understanding of the e-cigarette category, said the company.
"Dr. Carmona is an important addition to NJOY's board, and we are pleased that he has agreed to serve in this valuable role for our company. His expertise will be critical as we look to enhance our efforts to ensure cohesive and effective regulation in the category and raise awareness about e-cigarettes as a viable alternative for adult tobacco consumers. At NJOY, we are proud to be a leader in this process and believe our products have the potential to render traditional cigarettes obsolete," said Craig Weiss, CEO of NJOY.
"NJOY is a clear and responsible leader in the growing and important electronic cigarette industry. and I have been impressed with their commitment to science. They have a clear vision of the importance that ongoing scientific dialogue and research will play in shaping the regulatory and public health landscape today and in the future," said Carmona. "I believe that it is essential that we provide adult smokers with high-quality, innovative alternatives to traditional cigarettes. The current data indicate that electronic cigarettes may have a very meaningful harm-reduction potential, and NJOY is committed to the further development of the science in this area. I look forward to working with NJOY in this important capacity."
Carmona has extensive experience in public health, clinical sciences and health care management. He has worked in various positions in the medical field and serves as the first Distinguished Professor of Public Health at the Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona. He also served in the U.S. Army and the Army's Special Forces. A decorated Vietnam War veteran, he received two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars for his service.
In his role as the 17th Surgeon General, Carmona achieved the rank of Vice Admiral and focused on prevention, preparedness, health disparities, health literacy and global health. His 2006 report was applauded and embraced by public health and tobacco-control advocates, said NJOY. According to NJOY, the report concluded that any exposure to second-hand smoke is a risk to nonsmokers, and as a result the only way to protect nonsmokers is to eliminate indoor smoking.
Scottsdale, Ariz.-based NJOY offers a variety of disposable and rechargeable e-cigarette products made for adult smokers. These products provide nicotine with tobacco or menthol flavor, without tobacco smoke or odor. NJOY's flagship product is the NJOY KING. NJOY is currently in almost 60,000 stores nationwide and is also expanding internationally.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.