COLUMBIA, S.C. – (March 7, 2017) – Earlier today, Coastal Carolina Baseball Coach Gary Gilmore joined dozens of South Carolina legislators in lacing up their sneakers to demonstrate support for cancer survivors, patients and caregivers as well as to honor those who have lost their battle with the disease. The event took place during the annual American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Day at the Capitol event.
“Like every person, I have been touched by this disease personally,” said Dr. Gustavo Leone, new director of the Hollings Cancer Center. “I am proud to be here with Coach Gilmore to lend our support to those who are fighting this disease. This state needs do everything in its power to enact policies that can bring us closer to a cancer-free South Carolina.”
This year in South Carolina, an estimated 28,680 people will be diagnosed with cancer and 10,320 are expected to die from the disease. Additionally, there are more than 255,110 people residing in the state who have survived the disease.
ACS CAN volunteers visited with members of the House and Senate to discuss the importance of increasing the tobacco tax in South Carolina. South Carolina’s current tobacco tax of 57 cents ranks 45th in the country and is more than a $1 below the national average. Annual health care costs in South Carolina directly related to smoking are estimated to be about $1.9 billion.
If the state was to increase its tobacco tax by $1.50 per pack it is projected to reduce youth smoking rates by 16.8 percent and prevent 19,300 premature smoking related deaths in the state. This increase also would generate about $266.6 million in revenue annually.
“A tobacco tax increase would truly be a win-win solution for South Carolina – a health win that would reduce tobacco use and save lives as well as a financial win that would help the state’s budget,” said Beth Johnson, grassroots manager for ACS CAN in South Carolina.
Other ACS CAN priorities in South Carolina include: protecting funding for funding for cancer screening and treatment programs; and, improving access to health care in South Carolina.
About the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
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