Lincoln, Neb., – February 21, 2019 – Public health advocates from across the state traveled to the Nebraska State Capitol today to call on the Legislature to prioritize the 2,500 Nebraskans who will die from smoking this year.
The visit was part of Tobacco Prevention Day at the Capitol, which brought health advocates together to encourage lawmakers to increase the tax on cigarettes, regulate and tax e-cigarettes and increase funding for tobacco cessation and tobacco prevention programming.
“Three leading health organizations are calling on lawmakers to protect Nebraskans from the toll of tobacco,” said Nick Faustman, government relations director American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “Roughly 700 kids a day in Nebraska become new daily smokers. We must do more to protect them from tobacco by increasing taxes and funding prevention programs.”
Specifically, volunteers asked lawmakers to:
About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Founded by six cardiologists in 1924, our organization now includes more than 22.5 million volunteers and supporters nationwide – including thousands in Nebraska. We fund innovative research and provide critical tools and information to save and improve lives. To improve the lives of all Americans, we provide public health education in a variety of ways and we’re the nation’s leader in CPR education training. We help people understand the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and provide science-based treatment guidelines to healthcare professionals to help them provide quality care to their patients. We also educate lawmakers, policymakers and the public as we advocate for changes to protect and improve the health of our communities.
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