Guest Blogger: Erica Phung, Sr. Government Relations Director, CA
On November 20th the Great American Smokeout, a day celebrated worldwide encouraging folks to quit smoking, You’re the Cure Advocates stood on the Capitol steps to announce our newest Coalition – Save Lives California.
Save Lives California, a partnership of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, and American Lung Association along with doctors, hospitals and healthcare professionals – is dedicated to passing a new $2 tobacco tax in California by the end of 2016.
According to data released by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids this October, 40,000 Californians die each year from smoking and 441,000 kids under 18 in California will ultimately die prematurely from smoking. These are preventable deaths. With California’s tobacco tax 33rd lowest in the nation (87 cents) the time is long overdue to fund cessation and revamp California’s youth prevention programs.
By passing the California Tobacco Tax for Healthcare, Research & Prevention Act we can help offset the costs of treating Medi-Cal patients with tobacco-related diseases. We can also speed up research into cures and provide a boost to proven prevention programs that help reduce smoking among adults and youth alike.
Join us! Visit http://www.savelivesca.com/ Tell your story. Tell your legislator. Tell your friends. Let's save lives California!
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