AMCNO Participates in Tobacco Advocacy Day at the Statehouse
Recently the AMCNO was pleased to be a participant in the Investing in Tobacco Free Youth advocacy day at the Ohio Statehouse. Joining the AMCNO were more than 200 anti-tobacco volunteers. The day began with an issue briefing prior to the participants meeting with their legislators from their respective districts.

The participants were asked to press legislators to consider equalizing the tobacco taxes and funding tobacco prevention and cessation noting that the use of non-cigarette forms of tobacco is rising, especially among youth since these products are candy flavored and cheap because of the low “other tobacco products” (OTP) tax rate. Equalizing the OTP tax to the current cigarette rate would generate $50 million annually. This funding should be used to continue tobacco prevention and cessation programs which are scheduled to end as of June 30, 2010. In a recent poll, 74.9% of Ohioans supported taxing all tobacco products at the same rate and using the new funding for tobacco programs. Participants in the Lobby Day reminded their legislators that for every thousand kids kept from smoking by tobacco prevention programs, future healthcare costs decline by roughly $16 million and for every thousand adults prompted to quit, future health care costs drop by about $8.5 million.

Legislators were also asked to consider increasing the cigarette tax by $1.25 to $2.50 per pack which would generate $347.3 million annually. That money could be used as ongoing funding for healthcare shortfalls in the Ohio budge such as: Medicaid services, adults and protective services; healthcare for needy children, breast and cervical cancer screenings or other healthcare priorities.

During the event, a press conference was held where Beverly May, regional advocacy director for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, suggested legislation to increase tobacco taxes and thus save tobacco prevention services set to end July 1. Also speaking at the press conference was Rick Bender, who lost part of his tongue, half of his jaw and partial use of his right arm to oral cancer caused by tobacco use.

It remains to be seen if legislation will be introduced or if this issue will be handled through other means. The AMCNO will continue to work with the coalition to push for changes in the cigarette and OTP taxes in an effort to continue to fund tobacco prevention and cessation programs in Ohio.