HARTFORD – Earlier this week, Governor Lamont gave his annual state budget address which proposed to slash funding to many life-saving cancer prevention and control programs, including a 50% cut over the next two years to the state’s Tobacco Health and Trust Fund (CTHTF). A public hearing will be held on February 28 to address these proposed cuts.
The following statement can be attributed to Bryte Johnson, Connecticut director of government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network:
“Knowing that tobacco use contributes to over a quarter of all cancer deaths and that nearly 5,000 people in Connecticut lose their lives to smoking each year, tackling tobacco use is an easy place to start when it comes to reducing the impact of this disease here in our state. However, it seems Governor Lamont doesn’t agree.
“The cuts proposed by Governor Lamont in his recent budget address would be the 84th time the CTHTF has been swept, cut, reduced, or redirected over its 21-year history.
“Fact-based, statewide tobacco prevention and cessation programs equip people with the tools to stop using tobacco, educate on the negative health outcomes associated with tobacco products and help dismantle the systemic disparities perpetuated by the tobacco industry. Why would anyone think cutting funding for such a program would be a good idea?
"In the interest of public health and cancer prevention, ACS CAN urges lawmakers to mark National Cancer Prevention Month by rejecting Governor Lamont’s proposed cuts to the THTF.”
Newly released data shows that in 2023, nearly 23,500 people in Connecticut will be diagnosed with cancer, and over 6,000 will lose their life to the disease. Lawmakers can play a key role in bringing these numbers down by supporting fact-based policies proven to reduce cancer related death and disease.
###
About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) makes cancer a top priority for policymakers at every level of government. ACS CAN empowers volunteers across the country to make their voices heard to influence evidence-based public policy change that improves the lives of people with cancer and their families. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.