Finally Some Good News – Smoking Related Cancer Deaths Drop In NY
The incidence of tobacco-related cancers is on the decline among New Yorkers.
According to a recent report from the state health department released on September 14th, the rates of several cancers typically associated with smoking have decreased across the state between 2016 and 2020.
The report reveals a substantial drop in the incidence rates of esophageal, laryngeal, and lung cancer, which are strongly linked to tobacco usage, both in New York City and other parts of the state.
However, it’s worth noting that rates of oral cancer increased by 1.3 percent annually from 2006 to 2020 among New York City residents.
Researchers also highlighted the remarkable achievement of reducing teenage cigarette smoking to an all-time low of 2.1 percent.
State health authorities attribute this decline to various policy changes implemented in recent years, all aimed at curbing illness, disability, and deaths associated with commercial tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.
These policies include raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco to 21 in 2019, discontinuing the sale of all tobacco products in pharmacies, restricting the sale of flavored e-liquids, and prohibiting the online sale of all vaping products in 2020. Additionally, lawmakers imposed a 20 percent tax on vapor products.
Most recently, on September 1st, a $1 tax increase on cigarettes went into effect, making it the highest cigarette tax in the country.
State Health Commissioner James McDonald stated, “The decline in tobacco-related cancers reflects the progress we’ve made in New York State in supporting tobacco cessation for those who are addicted and preventing young people from starting to smoke. Although our work isn’t finished, we will continue to take a comprehensive approach to eliminate tobacco-related illnesses and deaths.”
Health officials note that nearly 46,000 New Yorkers are diagnosed with tobacco-related cancers annually, accounting for 40 percent of all cancer cases in the state, with lung cancer being the most commonly diagnosed and deadliest among them.
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