The public health community in New Mexico opposes a proposal by Sen. Clemente Sanchez to increase the state’s cigarette tax by 34 cents per pack because it will not significantly improve the health of New Mexicans.
Cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, students and advocates from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) rallied at New Mexico's Roundhouse today in support of increasing the state’s tobacco tax by $1.50 per pack and prohibiting minors under the age of 18 from using tanning devices.
Twenty-four candidates have taken the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) up on its challenge to “just say no” to Big Tobacco campaign money.
According to the latest report, candidates for office in New Mexico have taken $8,750 in contributions from Big Tobacco between Aug. 1, 2018, and Sept. 3, 2018.
Nearly 20 candidates in New Mexico have taken the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network up on its challenge to “just say no” to Big Tobacco campaign money.
The law places limits on step therapy policies used by insurance companies that require patients to try less expensive, potentially less effective drugs before they can get coverage for the prescriptions their physicians recommend.
The legislative session is scheduled to end at noon on Thursday, Feb. 15, and the tobacco tax increase bill has not yet received a hearing.
Governor Susana Martinez line-item vetoed all funding to the University of New Mexico, including the nearly $8 million appropriation of state funds to the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center during her actions on House Bill 2, the legislature-approved state budget.
Legislation to raise the state’s cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack and impose an equivalent tax on other tobacco products including cigars, smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarettes is gaining support and not just from public health groups.
Nearly a hundred cancer patients, survivors and caregivers from across the state rode the rails on a whistle stop-style campaign train ride to the state Capitol in Santa Fe today to meet with lawmakers and gain support for cancer-fighting policies.