DiDomenico Honored by American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

BOSTON—Last week, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network honored Senator Sal DiDomenico and other members of the House and the Senate for their joint effort last session to pass a comprehensive youth tobacco prevention law. Senator DiDomenico’s bill, which banned the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies, was included as a key component of the omnibus bill that raised the legal age of tobacco use from 18 to 21. The omnibus was a collaborative effort by a number of legislators to reduce youth tobacco use in the Commonwealth.

“Thank you to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for honoring me and my fellow Senate and House colleagues for our work on Massachusetts’s new comprehensive youth tobacco prevention law. It is an honor to receive this Advocacy Award, and I would like to thank the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for their tireless advocacy on this critical issue for our youth and residents throughout the Commonwealth. We couldn’t have passed this legislation without the assistance of so many passionate advocates making sure that this issue was addressed in a meaningful way.”

Tobacco use and nicotine addiction remains the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death in Massachusetts, responsible for more than $4 billion in annual health care costs to the Commonwealth. Youth are particularly susceptible to nicotine addiction, with 9 in 10 cigarette smokers begin using before age 18. While youth smoking has declined considerably in the last two decades, youth use of other addictive tobacco products like e-cigarettes is increasing sharply.

The comprehensive legislation passed last session was cited as a major public health achievement to reduce youth access to tobacco and nicotine products.

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