NH Getting Mixed Reviews on Cancer-Fighting Public Policies

AUGUST 1 – New Hampshire is getting mixed review when it comes to implementing policies and passing legislation to prevent and reduce suffering and death from cancer. According to the latest edition of How Do You Measure Up?: A Progress Report on State Legislative Activity to Reduce Cancer Incidence and Mortality, New Hampshire measured up to policy recommendations in just four of the eight evaluated issue areas.

How Do You Measure Up?, now in its 17th year, rates states in eight specific areas of public policy that can help fight cancer: increased access to care through Medicaid, access to palliative care, balanced pain control policies, cigarette tax levels, smoke-free laws, funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs, cessation coverage under Medicaid and restricting indoor tanning devices for people under 18. This year’s report highlighted massive shortcomings in funding levels for New Hampshire’s tobacco prevention and cessation programs. It also noted opportunities for the state to tackle tobacco use by increasing tobacco taxes and strengthening the statewide smoke free air law.

This year’s report includes a special section examining efforts to stem youth tobacco product use by raising the legal age of sale for tobacco to 21. E-cigarettes have driven a dramatic 36% rise in youth tobacco product use over the last year—and in statehouses across the country, policymakers have prioritized efforts to keep tobacco products out of the hands of our kids, introducing 88 bills that raised the age of sale for tobacco products. But state lawmakers’ good-faith efforts have been co-opted by the tobacco industry, who want to use these laws to advance policies that will interfere with effective tobacco control and protect their profits. In fact, 55 out of the 88 age of sale bills introduced in 2019 included provisions that advance tobacco industry interests. The special section draws attention to Big Tobacco’s dangerous agenda—including preempting local governments’ ability to pass strong tobacco control laws—and outlines the principles that make tobacco 21 policies effective.

“We know that tobacco use contributes to one third of all cancer diagnosis, and it’s imperative we tackle this problem. While New Hampshire missed the opportunity to protect kids from a lifelong addiction to tobacco products by passing comprehensive tobacco 21 legislation this year, many opportunities remain when it comes to protecting our communities from tobacco’s deadly toll,” said Mike Rollo, director of government relations for ACS CAN in New Hampshire.

“Despite receiving high scores in four issue areas, New Hampshire ranks among the bottom on the nation for funding the state’s tobacco control program,” said Rollo. “Currently, we are among only six states in the nation that have allocated less than one percent of the recommended amount towards this lifesaving program. It’s our hope that state lawmakers will focus on funding proven tobacco prevention and cessation programs during the upcoming legislative session – programs we know can help current smokers quit and prevent another generation of youth becoming hooked on this deadly product.”

A color-coded system classifies how well a state is doing in each issue. Green shows that a state has adopted evidence-based policies and best practices; yellow indicates moderate movement toward the benchmark and red shows where states are falling short.

How New Hampshire Measures Up:

Increased Access to Medicaid GREEN

Access to Palliative Care GREEN

Pain Policy GREEN

Cigarette Tax Rates YELLOW

Smoke-free Laws YELLOW

Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program Funding BLACK

Medicaid Coverage of Tobacco Cessation Services YELLOW

Indoor Tanning GREEN

“This year alone in New Hampshire, over 8,600 people will be diagnosed with cancer,” said Rollo. “We owe it to them—and to everyone at risk of developing this disease—to do everything in our power to prevent cancer and improve access to screenings and treatment. This report provides lawmakers a legislative path forward to improve cancer prevention efforts, curb tobacco use, prioritize the quality of life for patients and their families and increase access to critical health coverage.”

“By passing laws that prevent cancer and help patients get the care they need, our lawmakers can save lives and money in New Hampshire,” said Rollo. “We stand ready to work with our leaders to build a healthier and brighter future for New Hampshire residents and eliminate death and suffering from cancer.”

Nationally, the report finds that increased access to health coverage through Medicaid is the most met benchmark, with 35 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, having broadened Medicaid eligibility to cover individuals earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level ($17,236 a year for an individual and $35,535 for a family of four). Smoke-free legislation is the second-most met benchmark with 27 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, considered “doing well.”

To view the complete report and details on New Hampshire’s ratings, visit www.fightcancer.org

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.