COLUMBUS, OHIO –Cancer patients, survivors and advocates are marking the American Cancer Society's 49th annual Great American Smokeout, happening Thursday, November 20th, by calling on Ohio lawmakers to protect Ohio’s smoke-free law and invest in tobacco prevention and programs that help Ohioans quit.
“Everyone deserves the right to breathe clean, smoke-free air,” said Leo Almeida, Ohio government relations director at American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “No one should have to worry about being exposed to secondhand smoke — especially when the evidence is crystal clear that it poses serious risks to a person's health.”
In Ohio, tobacco use is still the leading preventable cause of disease and death, and smoking is linked to at least 12 types of cancers, including lung, liver and colorectal cancers. Each year, more than 20,000 people die from a smoking-related disease in Ohio alone. Although these hazards are well established, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show 15% of adults in Ohio smoke. These products are highly addictive, and it can be difficult for people to quit using tobacco once they have started.
“Lawmakers can help support people who are trying to quit using tobacco by protecting comprehensive smoke-free laws to keep all workplaces, including restaurants, bars, and casinos smoke-free,” said Almeida. “Studies have shown that smoke-free laws reduce smoking among workers and patrons and make it less likely for kids and young adults to start smoking.”
Smoke-free laws coupled with ongoing investments in tobacco prevention and cessation programs and regular and significant tax increases on all tobacco products are proven policies to reduce tobacco use and improve the health of all Ohioans. In FY22 and FY23, the legislature funded the Ohio tobacco prevention and cessation program at $14.5 million per year. This was a $7 million decrease per year in FY24 and FY25, followed by another $1 million in FY26 and FY27.
Ohio lawmakers should keep in mind that investing in tobacco prevention and cessation is good for public health and saves money. Overall, for every $1 spent on comprehensive tobacco control programs, states save up to $55 in averted tobacco-related health care costs.
The Great American Smokeout is a day for people who smoke or use any form of tobacco, including e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches, to create a plan to quit. Free resources on quitting tobacco can be found through the American Cancer Society’s cessation program, Empowered to Quit or at Ohio’s Tobacco Quit Line.