How You Can Help Hold Big Tobacco Accountable
Nearly 20 years ago, a U.S. Federal District judge found that the major cigarette manufacturers violated civil racketeering laws for deliberately defrauding the public.
News
Letter to Gov: Don't Cut Tobacco Control
January 28, 2013
January 26, 2013
The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
Executive Chamber
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Submitted via email
Dear Governor Cuomo,
Our organizations are deeply concerned about the toll tobacco takes on New Yorkers. While New York State has made great strides, smoking continues to kill 25,500 people every year. As such we have advocated for increased funding for the state's successful Tobacco Control Program. However, we were shocked and appalled to learn the lion's share of the Tobacco Control Program has been eliminated in the Executive Budget.
The New York State Tobacco Control Program has been proven effective in reducing the number of women and men who smoke and the number of children taking up this deadly habit. The rates of adult and teen smoking in New York have fallen at a faster rate than the United States as a whole. The program is independently reviewed and has concluded that the program is responsible for significant public health improvements. In addition, the review has most recently identified the program's single biggest weakness - dwindling state support. We are troubled that the state would jeopardize funding for a successful program that is needed to help the most vulnerable New Yorkers.
We are aware the Executive Budget will consolidate numerous prevention programs into a competitive pool, however given the lack of transparency we do not know how much, if any, will be invested to help in the Tobacco Control Program. Successful programs that are currently funded as line items in the budget will have to compete for fewer resources. Funding for the Tobacco Control Program will most likely come from the Chronic Disease pot of $63 million, but at a significantly reduced level. This proposal will not only reduce funding to this effective public health program, but it will also create uncertainty for the programs around the state that depend on it. Most importantly, it will likely lead to higher smoking rates in New York.
Why is it so important to fund this critical program? Approximately 12.6% of high school students smoke while 18% of adults are still smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease and cancer. Among both women and men and across all racial ethnic groups, heart disease is New York's leading killer. It is estimated that nearly 110,000 New Yorkers will be diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and that over 34,000 will die. We know that four cancers - lung, breast, colorectal and prostate - account for roughly half of all cancer diagnoses and half of all cancer deaths. Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer, accounting for a quarter of all cancer deaths. Moreover, the state's taxpayers pay more for the Medicaid and other health costs caused by smoking-related diseases. Cutting the state's program that reduces those costs by helping to reduce tobacco use rates is "penny wide and pound foolish."
And we know that New York's primary mechanisms to stop kids from starting and to help smokers quit are already woefully underfunded despite the state raising over $2 billion annually in tobacco revenues - and the program has seen its funding cut in half over the past four years. With the limited number of prevention dollars that already exist, consolidation of successful prevention programs may mean fewer dollars invested in health. Consolidation of prevention programs means New Yorkers could be the ones who lose.
We urge that budget amendments submitted to the legislature restore transparency to the budget and ensure adequate funding for the Tobacco Control Program. There must not be additional cuts. With 25,500 New Yorkers dying from smoking related illnesses each year, we simply cannot afford to not fund this lifesaving program.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please contact Julianne Hart, 440 New Kamer Road, Albany, NY 12205 or via email at [email protected] with any questions. We look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Julianne Hart NYS Government Relations Director
American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
Blair Horner
Vice President; Advocacy, NJ & NY
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.
Kevin O'Flaherty
Director of Advocacy - Northeast Region
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Michael Seilback
Vice President, Public Policy & Communications
American Lung Association of the Northeast
cc:
Lawrence
Related Updates
