A ranking of state-level policies targeting youth behaviors that increase the risk of cancer

Extensive research has documented the level to which young people engage in behaviors associated with an increased risk of cancer, such as tobacco use, poor diet, physical inactivity, excessive exposure to sun and artificial UV rays, and infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). States are enacting laws designed to counter these behaviors. This presentation analyzes laws enacted through December 31, 2011 by the 50 states and the District of Columbia (“states”), using data from the National Cancer Institute's State Cancer Legislative Database (SCLD). The SCLD, a recognized resource for qualitative data, categorizes and analyzes state legislation. Topics included in this presentation include youth access to tobacco, specifically as it relates to the amount of cigarette excise tax levied by the state; obesity prevention, as gauged by school-based physical activity measures; access to tanning facilities; and HPV vaccine requirements. The states also will be rated based on the extent of risk behavior areas in which they have enacted laws. To illustrate one dimension of this analysis, all states have enacted cigarette excise tax laws, with rates varying from 17 cents per pack to $4.35 per pack. Because every 10 percent price increase reduces smoking by three to five percent, states with higher tax rates will receive a higher score in the rating scheme. Scores also will be assigned based on the extent of legislative provisions addressing school-based physical activity laws, laws regulating minors' access to tanning facilities, and laws addressing provision of the HPV vaccine, along with a composite state score.