Nashville, TN – February 25, 2019 – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) commends Sen. Shane Reeves and Rep. Bob Ramsey for introducing legislation that will prohibit the sale of all tobacco products including electronic smoking devices to anyone under 21.
Emily Ogden, director of government relations in Tennessee for the ACS CAN, released the following statement:
“We thank Sen. Shane Reeves and Rep. Bob Ramsey for introducing these potentially lifesaving public health measures, Senate Bill 1200 and House Bill 1454. Nationally, 95 percent of adults who smoke start before they turn 21. Research shows that if a person does not begin smoking at a young age, they are much less likely to ever smoke.
“Raising the age of sale for tobacco products can be a critical component of a comprehensive strategy to reduce initiation and lifelong tobacco addiction.
“Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death nationwide. In Tennessee, smoking will claim an estimated 11,400 lives this year alone, and nearly 33 percent of all cancer deaths are related to tobacco use. Limiting access to tobacco coupled with smoke-free laws, fully funding tobacco control programs and regular and significant increases in tobacco taxes can help reduce cancer and death from tobacco related disease for generations to come.
“ACS CAN looks forward to educating and working with the legislature to move this bill forward.”
This legislation will be heard Tuesday, Feb. 26 in the Senate Commerce Committee at 1:00 p.m..
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.
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