Health Advocates Urge Lawmakers: Fund Programs to Reduce Tobacco Use in West Virginia
West Virginia Lawmakers Can and Must Do Better Now to Protect West Virginians' Health
Michelle Zimmerman
Associate Director, Regional Media Advocacy
Governor Morrisey: It’s Your Turn to Fund Youth Tobacco Prevention
ACS CAN Calls on the Governor to Sign Supplemental Appropriations to Fund Life-Saving Program
March 14, 2026
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, an appropriations bill was passed by the legislature and sent to Gov. Morrisey, which will direct some of the JUUL Labs settlement funds to be used for youth tobacco prevention and for programs to help those already addicted quit.
The following is a Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Government Relations Director Doug Hogan:
“The legislature overwhelmingly passed House Bill 5691, which will allocate $2.9 million of JUUL settlement dollars towards youth tobacco prevention and programs to help those already addicted quit.
“This vital investment in prevention and cessation provides West Virginia the opportunity to address the youth tobacco use epidemic and protect our middle and high school students from deadly and addictive tobacco products. A well-funded tobacco cessation and prevention program is essential to provide the support needed to help people quit and to prevent kids and young adults from starting to use tobacco.
“As Big Tobacco works relentlessly to addict future generations through e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) commends the legislature for moving this important investment to protect our kids and urges Gov. Morrisey to sign this appropriations bill to save West Virginia lives.”
West Virginia has the highest adult smoking rate in the country, over 28% of high schoolers use tobacco and 37.8% of cancer deaths in the state are caused by cigarette smoking.
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