Posted: | February 22, 2019 11:02 AM |
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From: | Representative Carol Hill-Evans |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Recognizing March 20, 2019, as “Kick Butts Day” in Pennsylvania |
While our nation has made great strides in combatting tobacco use, there are roughly 15.5% of Americans who still smoke. Moreover, tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable death, killing over 480,000 people annually – more than alcohol, vehicle accidents, drug use, murder, and suicide combined. This continued prevalence is why I am introducing a resolution recognizing March 20, 2019, as “Kick Butts Day” in Pennsylvania. It is vital that we continue to highlight the deleterious affect smoking has on individuals and on society as a whole. Our nation spends over $170 billion in health care expenses related to tobacco use and, according to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking results in $156 billion in lost productivity each year. And, every single day, about 2,000 minors will try smoking for the first time. Join me in pushing back against tobacco use in our state and in our nation by supporting this important resolution. |
Introduced as HR152