AUGUSTA — Three members of the Maine House of Representatives have received the National Distinguished Advocacy Award from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in recognition of their contributions to the fight against cancer.
Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, Joyce McCreight, D-Bath, and Michele Meyer, D-Eliot, were recognized for their work in advancing Maine’s tobacco control policy and bringing the state to the top of the nation in funding for tobacco control programs for SFY 2023.
ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, presents the annual award to select lawmakers who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the area of cancer-related public policy advocacy.
“Reps. Cloutier, McCreight and Meyer embody what it means to be passionate advocates for reducing health disparities,” said Lisa Lacasse, network president.
“Undoubtedly, it is thanks to their relentless pursuit and leadership that this lifesaving legislation passed in Maine to increase tobacco control funding, a significant step toward reducing cancer incidence and mortality rates. ACS CAN is grateful for these lawmakers’ role in reducing the cancer burden through their steadfast commitment to improving public health. ACS CAN looks forward to continued partnership on behalf of all who live, work, and visit Maine.”
In 2022, Maine passed legislation to increase tobacco control funding by $7.5 million/year, bringing annual funding up to $15.9 million beginning in SFY 2023. This makes Maine the only state in the nation to fund its tobacco control program at 100% of the US CDC recommendation.
“Like so many of us, the harm from tobacco use is personal for me,” McCreight said. “I lost my dad and my only uncle to lung cancer, a terrible and preventable disease. As a legislator, I’ve committed to doing all I can to put a stop to the devastating effects of all forms of tobacco. I’m proud, along with my colleagues, to have ensured the funding we need to help prevent people, especially our youth, from starting, and to provide help for those trying desperately to quit. This is a terrible addiction that often affects our most vulnerable, and we can and must fight back.”
Cloutier said, “Fighting the tobacco industry is a monumental task, and it will take hard work from all of us to ensure that our next generation is safe from an industry that preys on kids. I am so grateful to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network and the network of volunteers they have built to help support these efforts.”
“Tobacco use puts our children’s health and futures at risk,” Meyer said. “Smoking kills more people than any other preventable illness by causing chronic and serious diseases like cancer. I have been proud to work with the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network to protect Mainers from the terrible effects of tobacco products, and it is truly an honor to receive this recognition at the national level.”
The award was presented Sept. 13 as part of the annual ACS CAN Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Nearly 600 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones met in-person for the first time since 2019 with their elected officials to urge them to support policies that increase funding for cancer research and prevention programs and address barriers that prevent diverse populations from enrolling in clinical trials.
