FRANKFORT, KY – Today, cancer patients, survivors and caregivers from across the state traveled to the Capitol campus to meet with their elected officials during Cancer Action Day. They told lawmakers that Kentucky can and must do better to reduce the toll of tobacco on Kentuckians.
Advocates met with lawmakers to ask them to support legislation, House Bill 187, to direct future JUUL Settlement funds to fact-based youth tobacco prevention programs. Kentucky has an opportunity to address e-cigarette use and protect our middle and high school students from deadly and addictive tobacco products. A well-funded tobacco cessation and prevention program is essential to provide the support needed to help people quit and to prevent kids and young adults from starting to use tobacco.
There is crystal-clear evidence that exposure to secondhand smoke is harmful to a person’s health. Because of this, advocates also asked lawmakers to oppose legislation that will undermine local smoke-free laws in Kentucky. Everyone has the right to breathe clean, smoke-free air regardless of where they live, work or play.
An estimated 30,420 Kentuckians will be diagnosed with cancer, and 10,330 are expected to die from the devastating disease this year. Over 37% of those cancer deaths will be caused by cigarette smoking, the second highest rate of smoking-caused cancer deaths in the country. Those gathered at the Capitol today are calling on Kentucky lawmakers to change this by taking steps to prioritize the fight against cancer by reducing tobacco use in our state.