SANTA FE, NEW MEX. – January 31, 2024– More than a dozen cancer survivors, patients, and caregivers convened at the Santa Fe Roundhouse for ‘New Mexico Cancer Action Day’ on Tuesday afternoon. During the event, hosted by The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), cancer advocates met with state lawmakers and urged them to support policies that impact the fight against cancer.
According to projections from the American Cancer Society, cancer deaths will rise in New Mexico this year compared to last. More than 11,000 New Mexicans will be diagnosed with cancer and nearly 4,000 expected to die.
Though the cause of most cancers is not well understood, numerous factors are known to increase risk, including tobacco use. In New Mexico, nearly one quarter of cancer deaths are due to tobacco use. On Tuesday afternoon, volunteers urged legislators to enact prevention policies to help people who use tobacco products quit and deter kids from ever using tobacco products. Volunteers specifically asked lawmakers to support a SB 116 which, if enacted, would remove the Tobacco Settlement Permanent Fund (TSPF) from the general fund.
The TSPF has been unable to provide increasing distributions to treatment, cessation, and prevention efforts due to low returns resulting from its reserve fund status. Last session, the Legislative Finance Committee projected that by removing the fund from reserves, the TSPF will likely earn a higher return over the long run, which will, in turn, generate more revenue for programs that receive resources through the tobacco settlement permanent fund.
“Tobacco use is harming the public health of New Mexico and having a significant impact on cancer deaths,” said Brian Hummell, ACS CAN New Mexico Government Relations Director. “We are thankful to our volunteers for conveying this message to lawmakers. The state can’t continue to miss out on additional funding for control and cessation.”
In a recent report, the American Lung Association gave New Mexico an ‘F’ grade for tobacco prevention and cessation funding. Its imperative lawmakers take action to assure more New Mexicans have access to prevention and cessation programs.