The following is a statement from Doug Hogan, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in West Virginia:
"The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) calls on Gov. Justice to include a $4.5 million investment for the West Virginia Division of Tobacco Prevention program in his call for the special session. We agree with the governor when he says, “Let’s come up with something that is absolutely good for our people.”
“An investment in programs that prevent people from starting to use tobacco and help those already addicted quit is absolutely good for our people. It will protect West Virginia’s youth, save lives by providing additional resources for adults who want to quit and reduce health care costs for businesses and the state.
“West Virginia is typically ranked 50th in the country for funding critical programs to reduce tobacco use. As a result, the state has some of the highest tobacco usage rates nationwide for teenagers and adults. Nearly 38% of 4,300 cancer deaths each year can be attributed to smoking, the highest smoking-attributed cancer death rate in the country.
Increased prevention and cessation funding will allow the program to:
- Expand efforts to prevent kids from starting to use any form of tobacco, including e-cigarettes. It’s imperative that programs are funded to protect the next generation from a lifetime of addiction.
- Expand access to services to help people quit tobacco. More than two-thirds (68%) of people who currently smoke indicate they would like to quit.
“There is widespread support throughout the state for increasing funding for programs to prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and help those already addicted to tobacco quit. Recently, ACS CAN presented the Governor’s office, along with the Speaker of the House and Senate President, with more than 900 petitions from people from every county supporting an increased investment in tobacco control programs.
“The state must increase the investment in robust, fact-based strategies to reduce the toll of tobacco on West Virginians. Now is the time to invest in prevention to protect kids, save lives and reduce costs.”