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Ohio Earns Low Scores on Cancer Prevention Policies

Ohio is falling behind on strong cancer-prevention policies, according to a new report from a leading cancer-fighting organization. The study especially notes shortfalls in tobacco-related issues.

A cigarette tax increase, a tobacco prevention funding hike and more restrictions on tobacco-use… the American Cancer Society says Ohio could do better with all these. While Gov. John Kasich did call for a 60-cent increase in the cigarette tax earlier this year, that proposal has stalled.

Jeff Stephens with the American Cancer Society says there is a sense of urgency when it comes to strengthening these policies that goes beyond just improving public health.

Stephens: “Right now we really want to go after this tobacco-control issue because it is such a burden on our state. It’s a health metric that doesn’t make Ohio economically attractive or competitive.”

There were some bright spots in the report. Ohio earned top marks for its smoke-free laws along with its Medicaid expansion.

But overall the state scored well in just three of 12 issues.