Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Government Relations Director Molly Medenblik
LANSING, MICH. – “Last night, the legislature passed the state’s operating budget, which does not include a significant increase in funding for tobacco control programs that could reduce cancer incidence and deaths. ACS CAN has encouraged the legislature to invest in programs to prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and help those already addicted to quit by increasing funding for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ tobacco prevention and cessation program to $10 million. This increase would have helped reduce suffering and death from cancer in Michigan, where over 30% of cancer deaths are smoking-related. The legislature increased funding by only $577,900.
“A well-funded, fact-based tobacco control program is needed to counteract the $298.3 million per year that tobacco companies are spending to market cigarettes and smokeless tobacco alone in Michigan, not including their other deadly and addictive products. As Big Tobacco has been working hard to addict future generations with e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, the need for funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs has never been greater.
“At a time when the state has a significant budget surplus, ACS CAN is disappointed that the legislature did not prioritize protecting kids from Big Tobacco by increasing funding for these critical programs to $10 million. We can and must do better.”
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About ACS CAN at 20
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 saves lives. 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 made workplaces, including restaurants and bars, smoke-free. As we mark our 20th anniversary, we’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers and save more lives from cancer. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.