American Cancer Society Applauds Presidential Commission for Tobacco Farmers

American Cancer Society
Friday, 22 September 2000

The American Cancer Society, the nation's leading voluntary health organization, endorsed today's White House announcement of a proposed "President's Commission on Improving Economic Opportunity in Communities Dependent on Tobacco Production While Protecting Public Health."

"As the tobacco industry tries to redefine itself in the face of growing scrutiny, the public health community understands the very real sense of urgency about what the future holds for small tobacco farmers," said John R. Seffrin, Ph.D, Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society. "The American Cancer Society is encouraged by the Administration's actions acknowledging the serious economic issues facing these farmers and tobacco families. We will never be able to successfully eradicate the scourge of tobacco without considering the plight of the American grower. This Presidential commission holds promise that those communities heavily dependent on tobacco will not only find economic alternatives but also improved quality of health."

The American Cancer Society has a long-standing history of working alongside other public health organizations and tobacco growers to find reasonable solutions to the challenges faced in rural America. Tobacco states, including, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia have already begun to develop workable solutions for heavily-dependent tobacco farm communities as tobacco companies move more production overseas.

"Continued efforts to assist those directly impacted by these changes will not only provide a softer economic landing but should also strengthen health care resources for tobacco-producing communities," added Seffrin.

Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of death in America, killing nearly 430,000 people each year. Thirty percent of all cancer deaths are attributable to tobacco-use. More than $50 billion is spent in health care costs each year to treat smokers suffering from cardiovascular disease, cancer and lung disease, and other related ailments.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org