CHARLESTON, W. Va. – “As lawmakers dive into the 2026 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges legislators to prioritize passing legislation to ease the burden of cancer on West Virginians.
The Following Statement can be attributed to Doug Hogan, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) government relations director:
“West Virginia has the highest adult smoking rate in the country, over 28% of West Virginia high school students use tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, and nearly 38% of cancer deaths can be attributed to smoking in the state, the highest smoking-attributable cancer death rate in the country.
“The good news is we know what works to reduce the toll of tobacco on West Virginians.
“As Gov. Morrisey drafts his budget proposal and lawmakers identify their priorities, ACS CAN asks lawmakers to invest $5 million through the state budget, as well as all payments the state receives from its settlement with JUUL, in programs to prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and help those already addicted to quit. We need a well-funded, fact-based tobacco control program to counteract Big Tobacco’s deceptive marketing strategy and prevent another generation of people from becoming addicted to these deadly and addictive products.
“ACS CAN is also asking West Virginia lawmakers to increase the state’s tobacco taxes. Increasing tobacco taxes is one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use while raising the funds needed for prevention and cessation. ACS CAN calls on West Virginia to increase the cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack, tax all other tobacco products at a parallel rate, and invest a portion of the tobacco tax revenue in programs to prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and help those already addicted to quit.
“Every West Virginian deserves to live a tobacco-free life. It is past time for West Virginia to take action to reduce the toll of tobacco in the state.”