The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network held Cancer Action Day at the State Capitol on Tuesday. Louisiana Government Relations Director Alic Kline says the rally was to advocate for increased funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
“Tobacco use is still the number one cause of preventable death in cancer in the United States and Louisiana. So that is why it’s an issue we work on so heavily.”
Kline says advocates met with lawmakers to stress the importance of investing tobacco tax revenue in initiatives to prevent youth tobacco use and help smokers quit.
“Evidence shows that the more money that states dedicate to tobacco prevention and cessation the more tobacco use rates go down, and it also saves long-term Medicaid costs.”
Kline urged sustained funding for the Louisiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program and the Louisiana Tumor Registry to enhance early detection and reduce cancer burdens.
“We’re pushing for policies that would reduce the states cancer burden, with access to health insurance. So those are policies we fight for each year.”
Comments