A new report from the American Cancer Society says Nebraska could do better when it comes to policies to help prevent and fight cancer.
The report, released Thursday, looks at state policies regarding items such as smoking cessation programs, coverage for Medicaid patients, and access to screening. The report says Nebraska spends only 11 percent of what the CDC recommends on tobacco control programs.
David Holmquist, Government Relations Director for the ACS Cancer Action Network in Nebraska, says Nebraska can do better in that area, and should raise its cigarette tax by at least one dollar per pack. Holmquist says states that have done so have seen a significant drop in the number of teens who smoke.
"Nebraska ranks 27th in funding for tobacco prevention and cessation, and we rank 38th in terms of the amount that is charged in cigarette taxes. So if we take in to account some of these policies, we could reduce our current 10.9 percent down to 7.5 percent or better."
Holmquist says Nebraska needs to put more funding toward screening programs for breast, cervical, and colon cancers. He says better access to palliative care is also needed.
According to the report, 24 states, including Nebraska, have laws requiring that all workplaces be smoke-free.