Jerome Adams, who served as surgeon general during the first Trump administration, called for government regulation of social media platforms comparable to tobacco products during an appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."

Adams stated that the government should "similar to cigarettes, point out the fact that these substances, meaning social media platforms, are incredibly addictive." He expressed satisfaction that public discourse around social media addiction is taking place.

The comments reflect growing concerns among health officials and policymakers about the potential harmful effects of social media use, particularly regarding addiction and mental health impacts. The comparison to cigarettes suggests Adams supports warning labels, age restrictions, or other regulatory measures similar to those applied to tobacco products.

Adams served as the 20th Surgeon General of the United States from 2017 to 2021 under President Trump. His remarks add to ongoing debates about how governments should respond to concerns about social media's effects on public health, especially among young users.

The call for regulation comes as various studies and reports have raised questions about social media's impact on mental health, though the platforms maintain they provide tools for users to manage their experience and time spent on their services.