Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Government Relations Director Kristy Young
FRANKFORT, KY. – “The Kentucky legislature passed the state’s operating budget, which flat funded the state’s tobacco control programs. Kentucky still has the second highest adult smoking rate in the country and 26% of high school students use tobacco. The state can and must do better to reduce Big Tobacco’s grip on Kentucky.
“The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has been advocating for increased funding for the state’s Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program to $10 million annually. This additional funding would have reduced cancer diagnoses and deaths and saved lives in Kentucky, where over 34% of cancer deaths are attributable to smoking. In addition, an increase in funding to $10 million annually would have kept 2,800 kids from becoming adults who smoke and prevented 900 kids from dying prematurely from tobacco use.
“We need a well-funded, fact-based tobacco control program to reduce tobacco use and counteract the $246.1 million per year that tobacco companies are spending to market their deadly and addictive products in our state. As Big Tobacco has been working hard to addict future generations with e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, the need for funding for tobacco prevention programs has never been greater. ACS CAN will continue to work with the legislature and the governor to increase funding for tobacco prevention to create a cleaner, safer, healthier Kentucky.”
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About ACS CAN at 20
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) makes cancer a top priority for policymakers at every level of government. ACS CAN empowers volunteers across the country to make their voices heard to influence evidence-based public policy change that saves lives. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and made workplaces, including restaurants and bars, smoke-free. As we mark our 20th anniversary, we’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers and save more lives from cancer. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.