Citation

Pless IB. Inj. Prev. 2005; 11(5): 258.

Affiliation

barry.pless@mcgill.ca

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/ip.2005.010124

PMID

16203830

PMCID

PMC1730274

Abstract

Editor Barry Pless introduces articles on cigarette safety by two of the field's most dedicated campaigners. 

Although I have inveighed against what often appears to be an inappropriate use of the word "hero" in the context of injury prevention, some legitimate uses remain. Anyone who devotes more than 30 years to a single cause is surely entitled to be called heroic, perhaps even iconic. Injury prevention is a field that needs more such leaders. To be sure, names like Haddon, Baker, and Rivara come to mind; each is justly renown and if not of iconic stature already, destined to become such. They are excellent examples that more of us need to follow if the field is to flourish. Some, however, such as Andrew McGuire, who runs the Trauma Foundation in San Francisco, remain unsung and perhaps unknown. His lengthy battle to prevent burns by requiring tobacco companies to produce a fire safe cigarette, are inspiring.