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*However, the descriptors we commonly use to classify people who smoke may inadvertently perpetuate harmful, stigmatizing beliefs and negative stereotypes. In recognizing the power of words to either perpetuate or reduce stigma, Dr. Nora Volkow—Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse—recently highlighted the role of stigma in addiction, and the movement encouraging the use of person-first language and eliminating the use of slang and idioms when describing addiction and the people whom it affects. | *However, the descriptors we commonly use to classify people who smoke may inadvertently perpetuate harmful, stigmatizing beliefs and negative stereotypes. In recognizing the power of words to either perpetuate or reduce stigma, Dr. Nora Volkow—Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse—recently highlighted the role of stigma in addiction, and the movement encouraging the use of person-first language and eliminating the use of slang and idioms when describing addiction and the people whom it affects. | ||
*In this commentary, '''we make an appeal for researchers and clinicians to use person-first language (eg, “people who smoke”) rather than commonly used labels (eg, “smokers”)''' in written (eg, in scholarly reports) and verbal communication (eg, clinical case presentations) to promote greater respect and convey dignity for people who smoke. We assert that the use of precise and bias-free language to describe people who smoke has the potential to reduce smoking-related stigma and may enhance the precision of scientific communication. [emphasis added] | *In this commentary, '''we make an appeal for researchers and clinicians to use person-first language (eg, “people who smoke”) rather than commonly used labels (eg, “smokers”)''' in written (eg, in scholarly reports) and verbal communication (eg, clinical case presentations) to promote greater respect and convey dignity for people who smoke. We assert that the use of precise and bias-free language to describe people who smoke has the potential to reduce smoking-related stigma and may enhance the precision of scientific communication. [emphasis added] | ||
===2020: [https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/ref/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305628 Stigma, Opioids, and Public Health Messaging: The Need to Disentangle Behavior From Identity]=== | |||
*"Indeed, an oft-spoken proverb among those who work in tobacco control is''' “There is no such thing as a‘smoker,’ there are only people who smoke." '''This framing intentionally creates space to decouple behavior from identity, so that unhealthy behavior (i.e., smoking) can be actively denormalized without perpetuating stigma against those who engage in it. It underscores that individuals who smoke maintain their core humanity and value as human beings, despite engaging in a socially unacceptable behavior. Once they change this target behavior, they are no longer targeted for disapproval." [emphasis added] | |||
===2016: [https://academic.oup.com/ntr/article/18/8/1684/2492710 Exploring Issues of Comorbid Conditions in People Who Smoke]=== | ===2016: [https://academic.oup.com/ntr/article/18/8/1684/2492710 Exploring Issues of Comorbid Conditions in People Who Smoke]=== | ||
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