Governor Bevin signed bill for tobacco cessation legislation Tuesday

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) –Governor Bevin held a bill signing for new legislation on Tuesday ensuring patient access to smoking cessation treatments, which went into effect June 29th.

Officials say commercial health plans and Medicaid plans in Kentucky must provide barrier-free coverage for all tobacco cessation treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force. These include over-the-counter treatments (nicotine transdermal patches, lozenges, gum); prescription treatments (inhalers, nasal spray, Bupropion SR, Varenicline); and all three forms of counseling (individual, group and telephone).

“Kentucky has one of the highest smoking and cancer death rates in the country,” said Gov. Bevin. “If a Kentuckian elects to stop smoking, it is important that we provide access to the tools and support they need. Providing such resources will save both lives and taxpayer dollars.”

“Providing tobacco users with the tools and resources they need to quit successfully is an important step to reducing Kentucky’s smoking rate,” said Sen. Adams. “The new law will save lives, improve health outcomes and lower health care costs.”

“This legislation is exciting news for Kentucky tobacco users who previously couldn’t access the necessary treatments to help them overcome their addictions,” said Erica Palmer Smith, Kentucky government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “With the new law in effect, there has never been a better time for Kentuckians to quit tobacco.”