Douglas Flora: The economic and health costs of tobacco to Kentucky are staggering

Douglas Flora, Executive Medical Director, Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, recently posted on LinkedIn:

“After spending my Tuesday at the Capitol in Frankfort, KY, the importance of our American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) mission to combat tobacco’s impact has never been clearer. I extend my deepest gratitude to Representative Kim Moser, Senator Chris McDaniel, Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer, and Senator Steve Meredith for their valuable time and genuine interest in discussing the critical need for increased funding in tobacco prevention and cessation programs. Your willingness to engage on this issue speaks volumes about your dedication to the health and well-being of Kentuckians.

Kentucky faces a stark reality, receiving $475.1 million in tobacco revenue annually but allocating only $2.9 million—just 5.1% of the CDC’s recommended $56.4 million—to fight the health and economic consequences of tobacco use. This discrepancy highlights a crucial gap in our state’s public health strategy, especially as Big Tobacco spends $251 million each year marketing addictive products to our youth, contributing to a rising tide of tobacco use among high school students at 22.5%.

Our proposal to increase funding to $10 million for Kentucky’s Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program is not just a budgetary adjustment; it’s a lifesaving intervention. This increase could prevent 1,500 Kentucky kids from starting to smoke, save the state $24 million in future healthcare costs, and significantly reduce the 37.8% of cancer deaths caused by smoking—the highest rate of smoking-related deaths in the country.

The economic and health costs of tobacco to Kentucky are staggering, with smoking estimated to cost $2.23 billion in direct healthcare costs annually, including $634 million in Medicaid costs. The potential return on investment is undeniable, with every $1 spent on comprehensive tobacco control programs saving up to $55 in averted healthcare costs.

The time for action is now. Increased funding for tobacco prevention and cessation is a vital first step to protect our youth from tobacco’s dangers and support those already addicted in their journey to quit. We urge our leaders to take bold steps towards increasing this funding to $10 million annually, setting a precedent for public health that prioritizes the lives and futures of all Kentuckians.”

Source: Douglas Flora/LinkedIn