KVNUFTP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2011

CONTACTS:

Michael Siler
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Office: 801-493-4719
Cell: 801-867-3321

Ric Cantrell
Chief Deputy of the Senate
Office: 801-538-1407
Cell: 801-647-8944

MICHAEL WADDOUPS RECEIVES AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY AWARD
Utah Senate President honored for legislative work against cancer

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network gave Utah Senate President Michael Waddoups its highest advocacy award for his leadership in the fight against cancer.

Chris Hansen, President of the Cancer Action Network said, “President Waddoups has been pivotal in our work to end cancer in Utah. We recognize his work to fund cancer screening, sponsor the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act and particularly his proactive support of increasing the Tobacco Tax in Utah.”

The Cancer Action Network reports that last year’s increase in the Tobacco Tax led 24,739 people to quit or cut back tobacco use, including over 2,000 youth. State revenue increased by over $67 million, while tobacco-related health care and Medicaid costs decreased by $56 million. Utah’s Tobacco Quit Line reports a 152 percent increase in calls since the legislation was implemented and businesses realized a $33 million savings in productivity costs.

President Waddoups said, “Death by cancer is an awful way to go. Today’s personal recognition is nice but the best reward is knowing that my colleagues and I have saved lives, prevented disease, protected children and improved the quality of life for many, many Utahns.”

Cancer-related milestones in President Waddoups’ career include the following:

* 1992: As Majority Whip in the House of Representatives, President Waddoups gained legislative approval of a state match of CDC funds to deliver breast and cervical cancer screenings to uninsured, low income women in Utah.

* 1997: President Waddoups successfully championed matching state funding for the implementation of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) in Utah. This program has saved lives by providing critical screenings to thousands of women age 50 – 64 who could not otherwise afford it.

* 1999: Through his legislative efforts, President Waddoups secured state funding to extend breast and cervical cancer screening to low income, uninsured women age 40 – 49 not eligible to be screened by the NBCCEDP program.

* 2006: President Waddoups was the chief sponsor of the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act. Due to his leadership and untiring work for all non-smokers to breathe clean, non-tobacco smoke laden air, this act, among the most comprehensive in the nation, became law. As a result, smoking is prohibited in all public places in Utah including all workplaces, stores, restaurants, bars, taverns and private clubs.

* 2009: President Waddoups used the office of the President to help shepherd the Prohibition on Internet or Mail Order Sales of Tobacco Products bill through the legislature. As a result a major channel through which young people purchase tobacco has been eliminated.

* 2010: Perhaps most significant is President Waddoups strong support of the 2010 tobacco tax increase that raised the tax on cigarettes by $1.00 a pack and by an equivalent amount for all other tobacco products. During FY 2011, the first year of implementation of the tax, the state raised an additional $67.3 M in tax revenue, much of which was directed at maintaining funding for health care programs. Additionally, due to the increase in the price, tobacco use has significantly decreased. 11 million less packs of cigarettes were sold in our state during FY 2011. This equates to more than 24,000 one pack a day smokers quitting or cutting back significantly during that first year.

The award was presented to President Waddoups at the 2011 American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s National Leadership Summit in Washington D.C. Also receiving the 2011 award were Representative John Dingell (D-MI) and Hawaii State Senator Roz Baker (D-HI).

The National Distinguished Advocacy Award is the highest national advocacy honor bestowed by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

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