JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is marking the American Cancer Society’s 45th annual Great American Smokeout happening today by calling on state lawmakers and the governor to protect the health of our youth, residents with lower incomes, LGBTQ+ communities and communities of color by prioritizing tobacco control measures that overcome Big Tobacco’s manipulative tactics that target these community members. As our battle with COVID-19 continues, we must do everything in our power to keep all our communities healthy and safe—which means building strong public health infrastructure including comprehensive tobacco control measures.
Big Tobacco has spent decades aggressively marketing flavored tobacco products in order to hook and addict youth, people with lower incomes, LGBTQ+ communities and communities of color. Their targeted marketing strategies have led to disparities in tobacco use, including higher use of tobacco products. The tobacco industry has used menthol for decades to intentionally and aggressively target certain communities for addiction to their deadly products. As a result, Blacks consistently report the highest prevalence of menthol cigarette use.
The lack of comprehensive tobacco control laws and funding in a locality or state can further contribute to disparities in tobacco use. The $739.7 million the states have budgeted for tobacco prevention amounts to just 22.4% of the $3.3 billion the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends for all states combined. Missouri falls even further behind by allocating a fraction of a single percent of what the CDC recommends.
Public policy changes can and must serve as the main way to shield against and reverse longstanding inequalities – but it must be done comprehensively and with the well-being of those most affected in mind.
Long after this pandemic passes, people deserve to live full, healthy lives free from the problems of tobacco use. Gov. Parson should act to release funding for the state’s Tobacco Use Prevention and Control program. Though this funding is a drop in the bucket of what is needed and recommended, it is desperately needed in a state with an adult smoking rate of over 19%. Through proper funding, we can truly start to reduce health disparities and reduce the toll of tobacco on our state for everyone.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.