HARTFORD, CT – This year, in Connecticut, 23,550 people will hear the words, “You have cancer,” and 6,440 will lose their lives to cancer. Yesterday, Gov. Ned Lamont gave his annual state budget address, proposing slashing funding to life-saving cancer prevention and control programs, including suspension of tobacco control program funding for 2025.
The following statement can be attributed to Bryte Johnson, Connecticut director of government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN):
“Knowing that smoking causes 27.1% of cancer deaths and that 4,100 people in Connecticut lose their lives to smoking each year, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is appalled that Gov. Lamont would propose suspending funding for tobacco control programs for 2025, only two years after we were finally able to get funding restored after almost a decade of inaction. Losing this funding will mean more lives lost and more of our kids will become Big Tobacco’s next customers.
“The Governor did propose keeping funding for some programs that help prevent, detect and treat cancer, including Medicaid tobacco cessation programs and the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
“ACS CAN looks forward to working with state lawmakers as they make their way through the budget and encourages them not to suspend funding for tobacco control and to consider even higher funding for all these critical programs. More money means more people reached and more lives saved.”
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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.