Nebraska Revenue Committee Bill Fails to Address Tobacco Crisis
Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Nebraska Government Relations Director Megan Word
Michelle Zimmerman
Senior Regional Media Advocacy Manager
Legislative Action Needed to Reduce the Burden of Cancer on Hoosiers
Indiana’s Tobacco Use Rate Among the Highest in the Nation and it’s Time for the Legislature to Act
January 4, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – As lawmakers dive into the 2022 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges legislators to prioritize improving access to colorectal cancer screenings and increasing the state’s tobacco taxes, both of which will ease the burden of cancer on Hoosiers.
“We know that colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer if Hoosiers have access to screenings,” said Bryan Hannon, ACS CAN government relations director. “ACS CAN is asking lawmakers to prioritize eliminating cost sharing for all preventive colorectal cancer screenings, including follow-up colonoscopies after an abnormal stool-based test. Several other states have already passed this type of legislation and it is time for Indiana to do the same.”
As lawmakers mull a variety of changes to Indiana’s tax laws this legislative session, ACS CAN continues to urge the legislature to increase Indiana’s cigarette tax by $2 per pack with an equivalent tax on all other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. A significant increase in the cigarette tax would not only produce substantial new revenue but would save lives and reduce the burden of cancer in Indiana.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
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