Cancer CANdor Blog

The fight to stop the tobacco industry’s dangerous hold on our country’s health is ever-changing and demands strong, comprehensive public policy change.

Each year, World No Tobacco Day shines a global spotlight on the devastating effects that tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure have on public health worldwide. Everyone – lawmakers, public leaders, parents – should heed the World No Tobacco Day call-to-action, and seize the opportunity to join us in this fight.

Two decades have passed since states reached a landmark legal settlement that required major tobacco companies to pay states more than $246 billion over time as compensation for the health costs related to the suffering, death and disease caused by their dangerous products.

ItŠ—'s the American Cancer SocietyŠ—'s 40th Annual Great American Smokeout Š—– an annual opportunity to join others across the country in a dedicated day to make a plan to quit tobacco. This year, the Society is encouraging tobacco users to, Š—“Quit like a champion.Š— At ACS CAN, weŠ—'re honoring the spirit of the day by urging Congress and the Obama administration to support tobacco users in their quitting quest, by championing legislation and policies that are proven to help people stop smoking and prevent a next generation from getting started on the path to addiction.

According to a new edition of the ACS CAN report How Do You Measure Up? released today, most state legislatures are missing opportunities to enact laws and policies that could not only save lives, but also generate new revenue and long-term health care savings.

A new report released today by ACS CAN and several public health partners finds that states are spending less than two cents of every dollar they receive from 1998 tobacco settlement funds and tobacco taxes on tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

Funding tobacco prevention programs isnŠ—'t just the right thing to do, itŠ—'s the smart thing to do. That is our message to states as ACS CAN today releases a report with several other public health groups showing states are shortchanging tobacco prevention and cessation programs despite conclusive evidence that these programs reduce smoking, save lives and save money.

Did you know that when the American Cancer Society celebrated the first Great American Smokeout in 1976, 37% of Americans smoked? Fast forward to today, and that rate has been nearly cut in half to about 19%. This decline in smoking is in large part thanks to many our nationŠ—'s lawmakers who have helped to pass legislation...

Unfortunately, for most of you the answer to the question above is Š—“not well.Š— According to a new edition of the ACS CAN report How Do You Measure Up? released today, many state legislatures are missing opportunities to enact laws and policies that could not only generate new revenue and long-term health savings, but also save lives.

The second phase of the ads were officially announced this morning, and will be seen nationally beginning April 1. In support, I recorded this short video to commemorate the CDCŠ—'s bold efforts to combat tobacco use