CHARLESTON, W. Va. – Today, the House of Delegates passed legislation that will help in the fight against youth tobacco use in West Virginia.
The following is a Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Government Relations Director Doug Hogan:
“Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in West Virginia, including 37.8% of cancer deaths, the highest smoking-attributable cancer death rate in the country.
“Today, the House of Delegates passed House Bill 3521, which allocates $1,192,452 of JUUL settlement dollars to youth tobacco prevention through the Department of Health’s Tobacco Education Fund, which will help in the fight against youth tobacco use.
In West Virginia, 28.5% of high school students use tobacco. A well-funded, fact-based tobacco control program is needed to counteract the $106.2 million per year that tobacco companies are spending on marketing their deadly and addictive products in West Virginia.
“As Big Tobacco works tirelessly to addict future generations through e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) applauds this action and urges the Senate to pass this legislation before the deadline. The need for funding for tobacco prevention programs has never been more critical.”