Cancer patients, survivors and advocates are marking the American Cancer Society's 49th annual Great American Smokeout by calling on elected officials across Arizona to do more to reduce tobacco use. 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.
In Arizona, 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 8,300 people die from a smoking-related disease in Arizona alone. Although these hazards are well established, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show 15% of adults in Arizona smoke. These products are highly addictive, and it can be difficult for people to quit using tobacco once they have started.
“The Great American Smokeout is not just an opportunity for people who use tobacco to set a plan to quit. It’s also a clear wake up call for lawmakers to say it’s time for Arizona to once again stand up to Big Tobacco,” said Brian Hummell, Arizona Government Relations Director, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “It’s been nearly 20 years since Arizona passed, what was at the time, one of the nation’s strongest statewide smoke-free laws. The tobacco tax was once one of the highest in the nation, but now it’s below the national average. Progress has been made, but our work is never done in this space. We can’t allow the tobacco industry to continue to addict people to deadly, cancer-causing products.”
Research shows that strong tobacco control policies, like passing a comprehensive tobacco tax are effective in helping people quit. Fewer people using tobacco products means less suffering and death from tobacco-related diseases like cancer.
“To mark the Great American Smokeout, lawmakers should support passing legislation to raise the tobacco tax. Furthermore, lawmakers should ensure an equitable distribution of funds collected by that tax money. Increasing tobacco taxes is one of the most effective ways to support cessation and reduce tobacco use – and tobacco companies know it. Doing so would help more people quit, prevent kids from starting, and generate more revenue for the state.”
ACS CAN challenges state lawmakers to follow the lead of Navajo Nation which recently signed into law a comprehensive tobacco tax increase, which includes e-cigarettes and other nicotine products. Funds raised through the taxes will also go towards supporting tobacco prevention programs.
Tobacco use is also one of the primary drivers of cancer-related health disparities. Tobacco companies have specifically targeted communities of color, people with limited incomes, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people and youth, causing disproportionate tobacco use among these populations. Reducing the cancer burden for everyone relies heavily on eliminating tobacco use.
Free resources on quitting tobacco can be found through the American Cancer Society’s cessation program, Empowered to Quit or through Arizona’s Quitline by calling 1-800-55-66-22 or signing up for help online.