LANSING, MICH.– A recent poll by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) shows 81% of Michigan voters believe all Americans, regardless of the type of health insurance they have, should have access to affordable cancer screening and treatment close to home.
“Michigan voters clearly understand the importance of affordable health coverage and want their lawmakers to improve access to care for everyone,” said Victoria Franso, ACS CAN volunteer from Michigan who cared for her mom during her breast cancer diagnosis. “Beyond improving access to care, lawmakers must also work to reduce the number of cancer diagnoses. Here in Michigan, 31.9% of all cancer deaths are caused by cigarette smoking. Michigan lawmakers must listen to voters (69%) who support programs to protect our kids from the dangers of tobacco industry marketing.”
To reduce the burden of tobacco on Michiganians, ACS CAN is calling on Michigan lawmakers to increase tobacco prevention and cessation funding and to increase the state's tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1.50 per pack, with a parallel tax on all other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The $1.50 per pack cigarette tax increase would prevent 7,500 Michigan youth from becoming adults who smoke, prevent 9,800 premature smoking-caused deaths and save more than $500 million in long-term health care cost savings.
“With more than two million people in the U.S. expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year, including 68,730 here in Michigan, it’s more important than ever for voters to make their voices heard on the health care issues that matter to them most,” said Molly Medenblik, ACS CAN government relations director. “Policy decisions stand at the very core of many barriers people face during their cancer diagnosis and treatment. Whether it’s voting to support policies to reduce cancer incidence, for lifesaving cancer research or access to health care and cancer screenings, voters have the power to make cancer issues a top priority this election season.
Conducted by Lake Research Partners and the Tarrance Group, this poll is a part of ACS CAN’s national Cancer Votes campaign—the country’s leading voter education program for cancer-related issues and policies.
Individuals can register to vote, find their polling location, and learn more about the Cancer Votes program and upcoming local events by visiting cancervotes.org. ACS CAN is strictly nonpartisan and does not endorse, oppose, or contribute to any candidate or political party.
To view the full polling memo, click here.