ACS CAN Asks Legislature to Act to Save Lives

HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Legislature is now working to complete the state budget. Among items being negotiated are the state’s tobacco control programs. These programs help Pennsylvanians who smoke quit and others to never start this deadly addiction.

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Pennsylvania Government Relations Director Emma Watson released the following statement:

“Pennsylvanians depend on these evidence-based, comprehensive, sustained and accountable programs that have proven successful in helping people who smoke quit and others to never start. The programs are especially crucial as we see the dramatic increase in the use of e-cigarettes among youth. 

“E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco products by middle and high school students, surpassing combustible cigarette use according to the most recent data available. A recent study concluded that youth who use e-cigarettes are more than four times as likely to try combustible cigarettes and nearly three times as likely to currently smoke cigarettes than those youth who have never tried e-cigarettes.

“As more young people are using e-cigarettes, legislators must take a stand for Pennsylvanians by maintaining funding for tobacco control programs that prevent kids from using these products and help adults quit. Research shows that the more states spend on comprehensive tobacco control programs, the greater the reductions in tobacco use. The longer states invest in such programs, the greater and quicker the impact.

“We urge lawmakers to maintain Pennsylvania tobacco prevention and cessation programs at $15.5 million to save lives and protect health.”