LANSING, MICH. – This evening, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave her State of the State address, mentioning the importance of reducing tobacco use in the state, especially among youth.
The following is a statement from Molly Medenblik, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Michigan:
"Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Michigan and smoking is responsible for 16,200 deaths per year in our state. Even though the state has taken steps forward recently, Michigan is near the bottom when it comes to funding programs to prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and helping adults quit. That is why the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) supports Gov. Whitmer’s budget proposal to reduce tobacco use in Michigan.
“Investing in measures to combat tobacco consumption is needed to counteract the $308.4 million per year that tobacco companies are spending to market their deadly and addictive products in Michigan. As Big Tobacco has been working hard to addict future generations with e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, the need for tobacco prevention program funding has never been greater.