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Youth E-cigarette Epidemic Prompts American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to Seek Legislation Addressing Tobacco Addiction

ACS CAN Eager to Work with the Legislature to Reduce Big Tobacco’s Toll on Floridians

January 10, 2020

TALLAHASSEE, FL - January 10, 2020 - As state lawmakers dive into the new year, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is pursuing legislation that will ease the burden of cancer in Florida.

The latest edition of ACS CAN’s How Do You Measure Up? report and Broken Promises to our Children show that Florida can do better when it comes to implementing legislation to prevent and reduce suffering and death from cancer, especially when it comes to tobacco control.

ACS CAN is advocating for:

  • Tobacco 21 Legislation: ACS CAN supports updating Florida law to increase the state’s age of sale for all tobacco products to align with the federal age of sale and enable active enforcement by urging state lawmakers to pass bill SB 810. If enacted, SB 810 would establish strong retailer licensing that includes appropriate oversight and penalties, ensuring effective protection of our youth from the dangers of tobacco. Ninety-five percent of adults who smoke began before the age of 21. The bill is part of a proven and comprehensive approach to regulating all tobacco products that will reduce youth initiation and prevent lifelong addiction in our state.
  • Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program Funding: ACS CAN supports the continued implementation of Article X, Section 27 of the Florida Constitution approved by voters in November 2006. The amendment established a comprehensive tobacco education and use prevention program, known as Tobacco Free Florida, using a percentage of the state’s settlement funds from the landmark legal settlement with Big Tobacco in 1998. Florida collects approximately $1.5 billion in settlement funds and tobacco taxes every year, and ACS CAN advocates that allocated funding for prevention and cessation programs, including Tobacco Free Florida, total $194.2 million based on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation.

In anticipation of the legislative session, ACS CAN volunteers met with lawmakers throughout the state during Cancer Action Week this past November. ACS CAN encourages individuals, businesses and organizations that are interested in these issues to reach out to ACS CAN to get involved in the fight against cancer at www.fightcancer.org/FL.

For the latest statistics on cancer’s impact in Florida, click here.

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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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