Press Room

This afternoon, the New York State Senate will advance legislation (Senate Bill 172) that would improve New Yorkers’ access to paid medical leave with senators lending sweeping, bipartisan support. The Assembly companion legislation (Assembly Bill 84) awaits similar consideration, and advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are urging Assemblymembers to vote in support.

A statement from Michael Davoli, senior government relations director in New York for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, on the passing of Dr. Hazel Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State Conference.

Earlier today while New York State lawmakers held a hearing on workforce development-related budget items, cancer survivors and patient advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) gathered outside the hearing room to showcase their support for Senate Bill 172 and Assembly Bill 84 to improve access to paid family and medical leave for New York workers.

This morning, NYC Councilmember Rita Joseph hosted a press conference at City Hall in conjunction with the No More Menthols NYC coalition to promote the importance of her groundbreaking proposal to end the sale of menthol cigarettes. Councilmember Joseph stood alongside civil rights, religious and community leaders from the NAACP, Arc of Justice, African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council and more, to send a resounding message to the NYC Council: though Big Tobacco remains committed to addicting New Yorkers to menthol cigarettes, advocates will continue to fight to save lives and lungs from the harms of menthols. Enough is enough.

The following is a statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New York Senior Government Relations Director Michael Davoli:

“Coming off Governor Hochul’s State of the State address earlier this week, where access to and the costs of health care were sparingly mentioned, patient advocates are hopeful that the governor prioritizes health care affordability in her executive budget proposal for FY 2025-26.  

The following is a statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New York City Senior Government Relations Director Michael Davoli:

“Late last year, Mayor Adams laid out a goal of reducing deaths from cancers that can be detected early through routine screening by 20% by 2030. His HealthyNYC initiative might be viewed as overly ambitious but we at ACS CAN believe it is possible to achieve, should city leaders look in the right direction. Patient navigation is that right direction. It is one of the most promising solutions towards achieving this goal, and cancer survivors throughout the city are eager to see it actualized by the Adams administration through an improvement in New Yorkers’ access to patient navigation.

Public health and civil rights advocates celebrate the revival of the effort to end the sale of menthol cigarettes in New York City, coming later today when City Councilmember Rita Joseph will introduce legislation to reduce the heavy toll of menthol cigarettes on New Yorkers’ lives and lungs. Intro 1152 would prohibit the more than 5,000 licensed tobacco retailers in New York City from selling menthol cigarettes. The legislation is being championed by No More Menthols NYC-- a diverse, citywide campaign of civil rights and health advocates, including community groups, faith leaders, public health organizations and others.

Cancer patients, survivors and advocates are marking the American Cancer Society's 48th annual Great American Smokeout® by calling on elected officials across the state to do more to limit the toll of tobacco in New York.

New data from the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on tobacco-related disparities finds that the design and aggressive marketing of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, has driven tobacco-related health disparities, reigniting calls in New York City to end the sale of menthol cigarettes.

New York was recognized as the country’s top state advocacy team by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in honor of their exceptional work advocating for cancer-fighting public policies.