Vancouver, Wash. — Representative Paul Harris (R-Vancouver) received the Legislator of the Year Award from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in recognition of his significant contributions to the fight against cancer in Washington state, including his leadership this past session on tobacco control efforts.
During the 2022 legislation session, Rep. Harris sponsored a bipartisan bill to bring the state’s e-cigarette taxes to parity with combustible cigarettes. Youth use of e-cigarettes has skyrocketed in recent years and taxing e-cigarettes at equal rates as other tobacco products will help reduce tobacco use and protect young people. Additionally, Harris secured $5 million in the state’s operating budget for tobacco prevention and cessation—doubling the amount the state had previously spent on tobacco control.
For years, Washington state has ranked near the bottom in the nation for the funding it spends to reduce tobacco use—ranking 45th in the nation this year. Fully funded tobacco control and prevention programs are critical to help adults quit smoking and prevent youth from starting.
"Honoring Representative Harris as our Legislator of the Year was an easy decision. There has been no greater champion in our fight against Big Tobacco than Harris," said Matt Helder, ACS CAN Washington government relations director. "Without his work, we simply would not have been able to take this first step in restoring Washington’s underfunded tobacco control program."
Harris was presented the Legislator of the Year Award last week at ACS CAN’s Washington Cancer Coalition Summit. ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers at every level of government.
To learn more about ACS CAN, visit www.fightcancer.org/washington.
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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.