Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Government Relations Director Doug Hogan
CHARLESTON, W. Va. – “Yesterday, the West Virginia House introduced a budget that fails to prioritize reducing West Virginia’s high tobacco burden. Delegates, like their counterparts in the Senate last week, missed an opportunity to reduce health care costs, protect kids and save lives by failing to propose increased funding for tobacco control programs in the state budget. Increasing funding to $16.5 million in fact-based tobacco control programs recommended by the West Virginia Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Task Force would help prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and help people already addicted quit.
“The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) looks forward to working with the West Virginia legislature to include funding in the final appropriations bill. ACS CAN will continue advocating for an increase in appropriations for tobacco prevention and cessation programs to $16.5 million annually which would reduce youth smoking by 15.2%, prevent 3,900 kids from growing up to be adults who smoke and save the state $62.4 million in future health care expenditures.
“In the most recent Broken Promises report, West Virginia ranked 50th when it comes to properly funding the state’s tobacco control programs. West Virginia has the country’s highest high school and adult tobacco use rates. Furthermore, tobacco use is our state’s leading cause of preventable death, killing 4,300 West Virginia residents yearly. West Virginia can and must do better.”
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About ACS CAN
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 improves the lives of people with cancer and their families. 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 advanced proven tobacco control measures. We’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.