A new national report released by the American Cancer Society shows Ohio falling behind in keeping people from using tobacco products.
The “How Do You Measure Up?” report grades each state on how well they do on tobacco control and access to care.
Jeff Stephens with the American Cancer Society in Ohio says 30 percent of cancer-related deaths in the state are caused by tobacco.
He attributes this to the Legislature’s lack of funding for tobacco prevention programs and refusal to increase taxes on tobacco products.
'Ohio is one of only two states that have not increased their price on other tobacco products for over 25 years. This makes these products more available to our youth, when they’re most vulnerable to initiating a lifetime of addiction to tobacco products.'
Ohio scores well in the report in Medicaid coverage and quality of life treatment plans for cancer patients.
