Hartford, Conn.—Last night, the Connecticut House passed the state’s budget, which allocates $12 million for the state Tobacco Control and Health Trust Fund to fund critical tobacco prevention and cessation efforts. This budget investment comes after years of spending no money on tobacco control efforts in the state.
The following statement can be attributed to Bryte Johnson, Connecticut government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN):
"After years of the state investing zero dollars to reduce the devastating toll of tobacco use and protect Connecticut youth from Big Tobacco, ACS CAN is gratified that lawmakers have taken action to restore some of this critical, lifesaving funding.
"Evidence shows that well-funded tobacco control programs reduce tobacco use by preventing youth from starting and helping adults quit. Right now, nearly one-third of Connecticut’s high schoolers currently use tobacco products. Smoking also causes over 25% of Connecticut’s cancer deaths, while costing the state more than $2 billion in annual health care costs.
"For decades, Big Tobacco has targeted our youth and wreaked havoc in our communities, and this funding is a huge step forward in our efforts to save lives from tobacco use. However, we must continue efforts to ensure proper implementation of our tobacco control programs and make sure that funds are spent according to CDC best practices.
“ACS CAN is grateful to the legislature, House and Senate leadership and Governor Lamont for prioritizing this investment in tobacco control that will benefit the state for generations. We urge the Senate to swiftly pass this budget and for Governor Lamont to sign it into law."
###
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.