COLUMBUS, OHIO – A recent poll by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) shows 83% of Ohio 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. Further, nearly all (91%) believe that healthcare policies should make it easier—not harder—for people to get care.
“Ohio voters clearly understand the importance of affordable health coverage and want their lawmakers to improve access to care for everyone,” said Vince Marchetta, ACS CAN board member from Ohio who lost his wife to cancer. “Beyond improving access to care, lawmakers must also work to reduce the number of cancer diagnoses. Here in Ohio, 33.5% of all cancer deaths are caused by cigarette smoking. Ohio lawmakers must listen to voters (58%) who support programs to protect our kids from the dangers of tobacco industry marketing and the 62% who support a tobacco tax increase.”
To reduce the burden of tobacco on Ohioans, ACS CAN is calling on Ohio lawmakers to increase tobacco prevention and cessation funding and to increase the state's tax on 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 9,500 Ohio youth from becoming adults who smoke, prevent 12,400 premature smoking-caused deaths and save $636.2 million in long-term healthcare cost savings.
“With more than two million people in the U.S. expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year, including 78,080 here in Ohio, it’s more important than ever for voters to make their voices heard on the health care issues that matter to them most,” said Leo Almedia, 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