COLUMBUS, OHIO – Gov. Mike DeWine today continued his legacy of standing up to Big Tobacco by including additional funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs and increasing taxes on tobacco products in his proposed budget.
The following is a Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Government Relations Director Leo Almeida:
“Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Ohio, including 33.5% of cancer deaths. Today, Gov. Mike DeWine introduced his budget recommendations, which included an increase in funding to $10 million per year for the Ohio Department of Health’s Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program. Additionally, the Governor proposed increasing the state’s cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack.
“The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network applauds the governor for standing up for public health and looks forward to working with the legislature to ensure that taxes on other tobacco products are also adequately increased.”