OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Today, Cancer patients, survivors and advocates are marking the American Cancer Society's 48th annual Great American Smokeout by calling on elected officials across the state to do more to reduce tobacco use. The Great American Smokeout is a day for people who use tobacco to create a plan to quit.
In Oklahoma, tobacco use is still the leading preventable cause of disease and death, and smoking is now linked to at least 12 types of cancers, including lung, liver and colorectal cancers. Each year, more than 7,500 Oklahomans die from a smoking-related disease. Although these hazards are well established, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show 15.8% of adults in Oklahoma smoke. These products are highly addictive, and it can be difficult for people to quit using tobacco once they have started.
“The Great American Smokeout is not just an opportunity for people who use tobacco to set a plan to quit. It’s also a clear wake-up call for lawmakers to say it’s time for Oklahoma to stand up to Big Tobacco,” said Matt Glanville, Oklahoma government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “For too long, Oklahoma has allowed the tobacco industry to addict people to deadly, cancer-causing products. It’s time to say, ‘enough is enough.’ Our residents deserve better.”
Research shows that strong tobacco control policies, like increasing tobacco taxes are proven to be an effective way to prevent children from smoking and help adults quit. Substantial increases in cigarette tax rates not only save lives, but it also generates substantial increases in new revenue
“To mark the Great American Smokeout, lawmakers should immediately pass legislation to raise the tax on cigarettes by $1.50 per pack with a parallel tax on all other tobacco products,” added Glanville. “Increasing tobacco taxes is one of the most effective ways to support cessation and reduce tobacco use – and tobacco companies know it. Increasing cigarette taxes by $1.50 per pack, along with a parallel tax on all other tobacco products, would help 15,000 people quit, prevent 5,200 kids from starting, and generate $114.41 million in annual revenue for the state.”
“On this Great American Smokeout, we urge Oklahoma lawmakers to support people who want to quit using tobacco by moving quickly to increase the tax on all tobacco products. Passing this policy will help every resident of our state by reducing tobacco use and addiction, leading to fewer deaths and suffering from tobacco-related diseases like cancer.”
Free resources on quitting tobacco can be found at https://okhelpline.com/ or through the American Cancer Society’s cessation program, Empowered to Quit.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, 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 stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.