Albany, New York – November 14, 2022 – Cancer patients and survivors are marking the American Cancer Society's 47th annual Great American Smokeout® on Thursday, November 17 by calling on state and local elected officials to protect the health of every New York resident by implementing stronger tobacco control legislation.
Tobacco use is still the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the U.S., and smoking is now linked to at least 12 types of cancers, including lung, liver and colorectal cancers. These health outcomes are evident in New York with the state losing around 28,000 residents to smoking each year.
“There are several avenues that New York can take—at the state and local level—to curb tobacco use and prevent addiction,” said Michael Davoli, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Government Relations Director. “By allocating $52 million for evidence-based tobacco use prevention and cessation programs in the 2023-24 budget, increasing the state cigarette tax by $1 per pack and establishing an equivalent increase of the tax on other tobacco products, and ending the sale of menthol cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products, state and local lawmakers can reduce the toll of tobacco on New Yorkers, especially among youth. Elected officials have an opportunity to reverse harmful practices and address a definitive health equity issue.”
Historically, the tobacco industry’s marketing strategies have led to disparities in tobacco use, including higher use of tobacco products in communities of color, LGBTQ+ communities and among populations with limited incomes. Community groups are joining forces to call on lawmakers to address tobacco use and its disproportionate impact on marginalized groups.
“With each New Yorker we lose to tobacco use, our communities must fight to fill the vibrancy diminished by a preventable disease. Our legislators need to take decisive steps towards reducing tobacco use and its devastating toll on our communities,” said Davoli.
Free resources on quitting smoking can be found at https://www.nysmokefree.com/ or through the American Cancer Society’s brand new cessation program, Empowered to Quit.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) makes cancer a top priority for policymakers at every level of government. ACS CAN empowers volunteers across the country to make their voices heard to influence evidence-based public policy change that improves the lives of people with cancer and their families. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.