Montana is making progress in helping people prevent cancer but still has room to improve, according to a new report. An annual report from the American Cancer Society's "Cancer Action Network" gives the state passing grades for its smoke-free laws in buildings and for increasing access to Medicaid. But the state still has a higher-than-average smoking rate. One of the bedrocks to cancer prevention is making sure kids never start using tobacco. Kristin Page Nei, the government relations director for the Cancer Action Network in Montana, says state lawmakers can help accomplish this goal in three ways. "First, make sure that there's a smoke-free environment," she says. Two, to adequately fund a statewide tobacco prevention program that also has an evidence-based cessation program. And three, to frequently and significantly increase the price on all tobacco products."
After months of delay and hard negotiations, Congress has finally passed a funding bill! The bill includes a small increase for cancer research and prevention programs.