New Mexico Press Releases
The long overdue increase in the tobacco tax will keep thousands of New Mexico kids from smoking, help thousands of adults quit, save the state millions spent on health care, and raise millions more in needed revenue.
New Mexicans suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses face more than just the symptoms of their disease. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) backs legislation introduced today to highlight the critical need for palliative care programs, a growing field of specialized medical care that improves the quality of life of patients and their families by focusing on relief from pain, stress and other symptoms.
New Mexico does not allow anyone under the age of 18 to buy tobacco because it is a known carcinogen. However, under current state law, teens can use tanning devices even though the World Health Organization has classified them as “carcinogenic to humans” – the same category in which they classify tobacco.
States would likely face increased costs and cancer patients and survivors could face delayed preventive, diagnostic and curative care under alternative Medicaid financing models being considered by Congress. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) today sent a letter detailing the organization’s concerns to select governors...