A coalition of health care organizations, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the West Virginia Dental Association, the West Virginia Hospital Association, and the West Virginia State Medical Association, has urged West Virginia leaders to increase state funding for tobacco prevention programs. They have requested Governor Jim Justice to allocate $4.5 million to the state Division of Tobacco Prevention during a special session expected later this summer or early fall. Alongside their formal letter, the coalition presented around 900 petitions from residents advocating for this funding boost.
Earlier this year, the Legislature allocated approximately $450,000 for smoking cessation efforts, but advocates argue that this amount is insufficient. In 2021, the Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Task Force proposed a $16.5 million plan to tackle tobacco use, and the CDC recommends spending $27.4 million on tobacco programs in the state. This is the third consecutive year these organizations have sought increased funding. West Virginia typically ranks lowest in investment for tobacco cessation and highest in tobacco usage rates nationwide. In 2022, West Virginia had the highest adult smoking rate in the country at 25% and the third highest cancer death rate at 176.3 deaths per 100,000 people, with smoking-related health care costs estimated at $1.17 billion annually.
The coalition views the upcoming special session as a crucial opportunity to secure greater investment in tobacco prevention and cessation. Governor Justice recently announced an $826 million tax revenue surplus and plans to call a special session to propose an additional 5% income tax cut and push for a child care tax credit. The coalition's letter stresses the importance of increasing tobacco prevention and cessation funding to $4.5 million as a vital first step in protecting the state's youth from tobacco products. They urge the inclusion of tobacco funding in the special session's agenda to protect children, save lives, and reduce health care and taxpayer costs in West Virginia
