Paul R. Torrens

Paul R. Torrens, Ph.D.is Professor of Health Services at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Public Health. He is also the Director of the Executive Masters in Public Health Program in Health Services Management and the Co-Director of the UCLA Center for Health Services Management. Dr. Torrens is an expert in health policy.

= Biography =

Dr. Torrens graduated from the University of San Francisco and received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine. He obtained his M.P.H. (Master of Public Health) degree from the Harvard University School of Public Health.

Dr. Torrens is a professor of Health Services Administration, U.C.L.A.(1994) (AP 9/13/94; Los Angeles Ttimes 9/14/94). He is co-author of a report by The National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine, Committee on Preventing Nicotine Addiction in Children and Youth, issued in September 1944, which urged Congress to allow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). to aggressively regulate tobacco (AP 9/13/94).

Torrens is the chairman of The Institute of Medicine's Committee on Preventing Nicotine Addiction in Children and Youth (1994).(DJ 9/13/94) Tobacco "is a dangerous, addictive substance that is widely and freely available to teenagers around this country," per Torrens (AP 9/13/94). The Institute of Medicine recommended that Congress increase the 24-cent federal excise tax on cigarettes to $2 per pack; that merchants obtain a state license to sell tobacco, which would be suspended if the store sells tobacco to minors; that all public places ban smoking; that Congress repeal the federal law prohibiting states from regulating tobacco advertising so states can ban billboards and any advertising deemed attractive to teens; that cigarette vending machines be banned; that federal funds be used to help states conduct "sting" operations to catch stores that sell tobacco to minors; that self-service displays be banned, and the distribution of free tobacco products in public places or through the mail banned.(Associated Press 9/13/94; Los Angeles Times 9/14/94).

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