OKLAHOMA CITY — The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and the Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation released the following statement after the Legislature voted Friday to put sweeping changes to the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust on the November ballot:
“We are incredibly disappointed by the legislative actions this week to drastically alter Oklahoma’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), and we believe redirecting its funds will have a devastating impact on the state’s public health.
“Smoking continues to be the No. 1 cause of preventable death in Oklahoma and is responsible for 31% of the state’s cancer deaths. TSET is the state’s primary source of tobacco control and prevention funding. The trust also provides crucial access to healthcare, including investments for medical professionals in rural and underserved communities, and innovative clinical trials that Oklahomans with cancer can access without leaving home.
“Oklahomans decided in 2000 to protect these funds for public health use by amending our state Constitution. In November, it will again be up to voters to protect TSET and reject the changes the Legislature proposed today. We will work in the coming months to ensure Oklahomans know what is at stake and will ask that they vote to protect TSET for a healthier future.”