PORTLAND — Maine is currently No. 1 in the country for helping people to quit smoking, but if Gov. Paul LePage’s budget is passed, that would change, according to the American Lung Association.
In a report issued Tuesday, the American Lung Association said Maine beat the other 49 states by providing state employees a “comprehensive tobacco cessation” program to its state employees and their family members.
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The state also currently provides a comprehensive program to its low-income Medicaid enrollees.
But the governor’s budget would drastically change that by eliminating tobacco-cessation medications from the state programs, the association said.
The report also said “helping smokers quit not only saves lives — it also saves everyone money.” Tobacco treatment has been shown to save two dollars for every dollar invested in one year, thanks to savings from lower healthcare costs, increased workplace productivity and averted premature deaths, the report said.
In addition to eliminating tobacco-cessation medications, LePage also proposed Tuesday dropping 65,000 Mainers from Medicaid to help close the budget deficit.
To view the full report, visit www.lungne.org.
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