New York State Lawmakers Have Opportunities to Save Lives and Money by Increasing funding for Tobacco Control and Protecting Minors from Cancer Causing Indoor Tanning Devices.
ALBANY, NY – August 3, 2017 – New York State is making progress when it comes to supporting policies and passing legislation to prevent and reduce suffering and death from cancer however the state falls short in some areas. According to the latest edition of How Do You Measure Up?: A Progress Report on State Legislative Activity to Reduce Cancer Incidence and Mortality, New York State measured up to policy recommendations in just four of the nine issue areas ranked. The report was released today by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).
“This 15th edition of the report shows just how far we’ve come in the last decade and a half passing policies proven to reduce suffering and death from cancer. But now is certainly not the time to rest on our laurels,” said ACS CAN New York Government Relations Director Julie Hart. This year alone in New York State, more than 107,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer. We owe it to them and everyone at risk of developing the disease, to do what we know works to prevent cancer and improve access to screenings and treatment. This report shows lawmakers a legislative path forward to improve cancer prevention efforts, curb tobacco use, prioritize the quality of life for patients and their families and increase access to critical health coverage.”
Passing and implementing the policy recommendations in the report would not only save lives in New York State, but also save millions in long-term health care costs and in some cases would even generate additional, much-needed revenue.
How Do You Measure Up? rates states in nine specific areas of public policy that can help fight cancer. A color-coded system classifies how well a state is doing in each issue. Green shows that a state has adopted evidence-based policies and best practices; yellow indicates moderate movement toward the benchmark and red shows where states are falling short.
How New York State Measures Up:
Cigarette Tax Rates Green
Smoke-free Laws Green
Increased Access to Medicaid Green
Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Funding Green
Medicaid Coverage of Tobacco Cessation Services Yellow
Pain Policy Yellow
Access to Palliative Care Yellow
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program Funding Red
Indoor Tanning Device Use Restrictions Red
ACS CAN remains committed to prohibiting the use of indoor tanning devices by young people. The use of these devices has been directly linked to an increase in skin cancer. It is estimated that over 400,000 skin cancer cases in the United States have been attributed to indoor tanning each year. New York State law currently has a loophole whereby 17 year olds may use dangerous indoor tanning devices with a permission slip. Indoor tanning devices have been classified by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer as carcinogenic to humans. This classification places tanning devices in the same category as other known carcinogens such as tobacco.
“We wouldn’t pass a law that had a loophole to let our kids smoke; it’s time to close the tanning loophole and protect all kids from dangerous indoor tanning devices,” stated Hart.
According to the report, New York also needs to do more when it comes to funding its tobacco control program. While New York has made strides in reducing smoking rates, over 28,000 New Yorkers die each year from tobacco-caused illnesses. The CDC recommends the state spend $203 million on their comprehensive tobacco control program.
“New York falls far short and allocates just $39.3 million to help smokers quit and to keep kids from beginning this deadly addiction. This is a fraction of the CDC recommendation,” added Hart.
Nationally, the report finds that increased access to health coverage through Medicaid is the most met benchmark, with 32 states, including New York, having broadened Medicaid eligibility to cover individuals under 138 percent of the federal poverty line. Smoke-free legislation is the second-most met benchmark with 26 states, including New York, considered “doing well.”
“As advocates, we have the opportunity to work with our state legislators on implementing policies and programs that prevent and treat cancer,” said ACS CAN New York State Lead Ambassador Billie Ann Caza. “Together, we can build stronger, healthier communities and ensure New Yorkers have access to measures that prevent disease before it occurs, ultimately saving more lives from cancer.”
To view the complete report and details on New York State’s grades, visit www.fightcancer.org.