CHEYENNE, WYO. – – Cancer patients, survivors and advocates are marking the American Cancer Society's 48th annual Great American Smokeout® today 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 Wyoming, 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 27% of Wyoming cancer deaths are linked to smoking. Although these hazards are well established, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show 14% of adults in Wyoming smoke and Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids data indicates nearly 30% of state high school students use e-cigarettes, which is nearly four times higher than the national average. 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 Wyoming to stand up to Big Tobacco,” said Denver Henderson, Wyoming Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “For too long, Wyoming 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 aggressive taxation can help people quit smoking and keep kids from getting addicted to these deadly products.
“Lawmakers can help support people who are trying to quit using tobacco by passing comprehensive smoke-free laws to keep all workplaces, including restaurants, bars, and casinos smoke-free,” Henderson said. “Studies have shown that smoke-free laws and policies reduce smoking among workers and patrons, and also make it less likely for kids and young adults to start smoking.”
Tobacco use is one of the primary drivers of cancer-related health disparities. Tobacco companies have specifically targeted communities of color, people with limited incomes, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people and youth, causing disproportionate tobacco use among these populations. In 2021, the prevalence of any tobacco product use was higher among adults living in rural areas (26.2%) compared to adults living in urban areas (17.5%).
“On this Great American Smokeout, we urge Wyoming lawmakers to support people who want to quit using tobacco by moving quickly to look at ways to close the coverage gap, decreasing the number of uninsured Wyomingites. 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 QuitWyo.org or through the American Cancer Society’s cessation program, Empowered to Quit.