Press Room

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is Encouraged as Flawed Biomarker Legislation Does Not Pass

West Virginia Can and Must Do Better to Boost Funding to Combat Tobacco Use, Protect Public Health

Cancer Advocates Urge the Senate to Do Better Than the House to Ensure West Virginians Have Better Access to Personalized Care. 

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – Today, cancer patients, survivors and caregivers from across the state traveled to the Capitol in Charleston to meet with their elected officials.

CHARLESTON, W. Va. –Delegate Steve Westfall recently introduced legislation that would increase access to biomarker testing, which can help determine the best treatment plan for a specific patient.

As the Governor is drafting his budget proposal and lawmakers identify their appropriations priorities as part of the 2024 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) calls for increased funding for the state tobacco control program and an increase in the state’s tobacco taxes, to ease the burden of tobacco and cancer in West Virginia.

Cancer Advocates Urge West Virginia Lawmakers to Pass Tobacco Prevention Measures on the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout® and National Rural Health Day

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is disappointed that lawmakers chose Big Tobacco over the health of West Virginians in the state budget.

The West Virginia House introduced a budget that fails to prioritize reducing West Virginia’s high tobacco burden. 

Recently, Sen. Tom Takubo introduced legislation, Senate Bill 84, to increase the tax on cigarettes and all other tobacco products while investing a portion of the revenue in fact-based tobacco prevention and cessation programs. This is an important step towards a cleaner, safer, healthier West Virginia that will help kids break the cycle of addiction and tobacco-related disease.