Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Government Relations Director Doug Hogan
CHARLESTON, W. Va. – “West Virginia has the highest adult smoking rate in the country, over 28% of West Virginia high school students use tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, and nearly 38% of cancer deaths can be attributed to smoking in the state, the highest smoking-attributable cancer death rate in the country.
“West Virginia lawmakers can and must do better now to reduce the toll of tobacco on West Virginians.
“As Gov. Morrisey drafts his budget proposal and lawmakers identify their appropriations priorities, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) calls for JUUL settlement dollars to be used for youth prevention, increased funding for the state tobacco prevention and programs to help people quit, and an increase in the state’s tobacco taxes, to ease the burden of tobacco and cancer in West Virginia.
“When Patrick Morrisey was West Virginia Attorney General, we applauded now Governor's successful legal action against JUUL, a company that put profits over public health. The settlement is evidence that JUUL intentionally preyed upon young consumers and was primarily responsible for the surge in youth e-cigarette use and the growth in the percentage of youth who have become addicted to tobacco products—an epidemic that continues to this day. Our recommendation for the upcoming state budget is to direct the $7.9 million JUUL settlement to the state’s tobacco control program to ensure settlement funds address the lasting impact of the e-cigarette epidemic.
“ACS CAN also asks the state to make a meaningful investment of $4.5 million in fact-based tobacco control programs this budget year. They currently receive only $451,404, which ranks West Virginia 50th in the country in terms of investments in tobacco prevention. Additionally, a cigarette tax increase of $1.50 per pack with a parallel tax on all other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, would generate revenue for the state and prevent future generations from becoming Big Tobacco’s next customers.
“It is hard to believe, but tobacco companies have specifically targeted rural and limited-income communities, veterans, people with disabilities and youth, which has caused disproportionate tobacco use among these populations. Adults who live in rural areas have higher smoking rates than adults in urban areas. They are also more likely to smoke more – 15 cigarettes or more per day – and have an 18 to 20 percent higher lung cancer death rate than people living in urban areas.
“Every West Virginian deserves to live a tobacco-free life. It is past time for West Virginia to take action to reduce the toll of tobacco in the state.”