ACS CAN Applauds Senate on Passage of Bill to Fund Tobacco Control Program
Asks Governor to Enact as Soon as Possible
June 19, 2017 – The New Jersey State Senate has passed a bill by a vote of 38-0. (S862/A3338) that would dedicate one percent of state tobacco tax revenues to fund tobacco prevention and cessation services as part of a statewide comprehensive Tobacco Control Program. The assembly had previously passed the bill unanimously.
Brian Shott, New Jersey government relations director of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released the following statement:
“We thank the New Jersey State Senate for their positive action on this bill. In particular, we thank the bill sponsors, Senator Brian Stack and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, for recognizing the need to address tobacco-related death and disease in our state and properly fund the state Tobacco Control Program. For the past five years, New Jersey has not allocated any dedicated state funding to support comprehensive tobacco control efforts, despite collecting approximately $700 million in cigarette taxes annually. If enacted, this measure will allocate nearly $7 million annually for critical resources to help current tobacco users quit and to prevent tobacco addiction in future generations.
“A report released last week by several health organizations including ACS CAN stated that allocating $7 million to this program would greatly decrease the number of New Jersey kids growing up to become addicted adult tobacco users, saving our state $67.8 million in associated future health care expenditures.
“In 2017, more than 51,000 New Jerseyans will hear the horrifying news that they have cancer. In New Jersey 26.7 percent of cancer deaths are due to smoking. It is critically important for Governor Christie to recognize the need of providing resources to those who want to quit smoking and to help kids never start the use of these deadly and addictive products.
“Governor Christie, please enact this bill quickly.
“ACS CAN looks forward to working with our state leaders to support a fully funded Tobacco Control Program for New Jersey.”