MISSOULA – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is encouraged about Governor Bullock’s commitment to reducing tobacco use. The Montana Dept. of Public Health issued a permanent rule today at the request of Governor Bullock to end the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in Montana. Kristin Page Nei, the Montana government relations director for ACS CAN, released the following statement in response:
"Our work to save lives from cancer doesn’t stop during a pandemic. Given that smoking causes more than 28% of all cancer deaths in Montana, reducing tobacco use is a top priority for ACS CAN. We are encouraged by Governor Bullock’s efforts to end the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. Kids will turn to whatever flavored tobacco products are sold, so we need local communities to end the sale of all these flavored products, including menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, hookah, and smokeless chewing tobacco.
"Big Tobacco uses flavors to lure our kids and youth report that flavors are a leading reason they use tobacco products. In 2019, approximately 70% of students who used tobacco used a flavored product. Another study found that more than 80% of teens who had ever used a tobacco product started with a flavored one.
"We must do everything in our power to keep our communities healthy and safe—which means building strong public health infrastructure including comprehensive tobacco control measures. To effectively curb youth tobacco use, we also need to prohibit e-cigarette use everywhere smoking is prohibited, significantly increase the tax on all tobacco products including e-cigarettes, and fully fund a tobacco control program that prevents kids from starting and supports those who are trying to quit.
"Long after the pandemic is over, people deserve to live healthy tobacco-free lives. We look forward to working across Montana to implement proven policies to stop youth from using tobacco, including e-cigarettes."
The American Cancer Society has resources to help people quit tobacco addiction on its website and people can also call 800-QUIT-NOW.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.