BOISE, Idaho –– Cancer patients, survivors and advocates are marking the American Cancer Society's 48th annual Great American Smokeout® by calling on elected officials across the state to do more to reduce tobacco use. The Great American Smokeout is a day for people who use tobacco to create a plan to quit.
In Idaho, tobacco use is still the leading preventable cause of disease and death, and smoking is now linked to at least 12 types of cancers, including lung, liver and colorectal cancers. Each year, about 1,800 die from a smoking-related disease in Idaho alone. Although these hazards are well established, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show 10% of adults in Idaho smoke. Almost 18% of high school students use e-cigarettes, more than double the national average. These products are highly addictive, and it can be difficult for people to quit using tobacco once they have started.
“The Great American Smokeout is not just an opportunity for people who use tobacco to set a plan to quit. It’s also a clear wake up call for lawmakers to say it’s time for Idaho to stand up to Big Tobacco,” said Randy Johnson, Idaho Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “For too long, Idaho has allowed the tobacco industry to addict people to deadly, cancer-causing products. It’s time to say, ‘enough is enough.’ Our residents deserve better.”
Research shows that strong tobacco control policies, like increased tobacco control funding can help people quit smoking and decrease risk of cancer and other deadly diseases.
“Nearly 70% of adults who smoke want to quit, but quitting is incredibly difficult. We know that a well-funded tobacco prevention and cessation program is so important to provide the support needed to help people quit, and to help prevent kids and young adults from starting to use tobacco,” Johnson said.
Tobacco use is one of the primary drivers of cancer-related health disparities. Tobacco companies have specifically targeted communities of color, people with limited incomes, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people and youth, causing disproportionate tobacco use among these populations. In 2021, the prevalence of any tobacco product use was higher among adults living in rural areas (26.2%) compared to adults living in urban areas (17.5%). Achieving health equity relies heavily on eliminating tobacco use.
“On this Great American Smokeout, we urge Idaho lawmakers to support people who want to quit using tobacco by moving quickly to raise Idaho’s tobacco tax by $1.50. This measure will make Idaho more competitive with surrounding states and provide essential resources to help individuals quit for good. Passing this policy will help every resident of our state by reducing tobacco use and addiction, leading to fewer deaths and suffering from tobacco-related diseases like cancer,” Johnson said.
Free resources on quitting tobacco can be found at projectfilter.org or through the American Cancer Society’s cessation program, Empowered to Quit.