SANTA FE, N.M. – Feb. 6, 2020 – With 31.2% of high-schoolers across the nation using tobacco products, including 27.5% using e-cigarettes, volunteers from across New Mexico will ask the Legislature to prioritize tobacco prevention and cessation programs by increasing their funding by $1.5 million in 2020.
At the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network New Mexico’s Day at the Capitol, advocates will speak with urgency about reducing the impact tobacco products have on the health of our state. Big Tobacco is expected to spend more than $37 million marketing their deadly products in New Mexico this year. The Legislature’s investment in public health is urgent as studies show that e-cigarette use increases the risk of youth and young adults also using combustible tobacco products.
It is estimated that 9,800 New Mexicans will be diagnosed with cancer in 2020.
Prior to legislative meetings in the Roundhouse, former and current legislators will participate in a panel to help ACS CAN NM volunteers and youth advocates build relationships with lawmakers.
WHAT: ACS CAN New Mexico Day at the Capitol
WHO:
Evolvement New Mexico
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Al Park, former state representative
Joyce Graves, breast cancer survivor and ACS CAN volunteer from Gallup
Aracely Flores-Ramirez, youth advocate from Los Lunas
WHEN:
Monday, Feb. 10
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Times of note: 11:30 a.m. panel featuring former legislators; 12:15 p.m. remarks from Lt. Gov. Morales (tentative)
WHERE:
The Inn at Loretto
211 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, NM
