PRINTER'S NO. 2935
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
728
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SCHREIBER, HENNESSEY, ROZZI, PASHINSKI, MURT,
LONGIETTI, THOMAS, SCHLOSSBERG, ENGLISH, DONATUCCI, KIRKLAND,
BURNS, COHEN, VEREB, BAKER, KILLION, MUSTIO, READSHAW,
CALTAGIRONE, DiGIROLAMO, SONNEY, DUSH, FREEMAN, TOOHIL,
MARSICO, BIZZARRO, D. COSTA, MILLARD, KINSEY, WHEELAND,
NEILSON, BULLOCK, MILNE, WATSON, DAVIS, ROSS AND YOUNGBLOOD,
MARCH 14, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 14, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Designating March 16, 2016, as "Kick Butts Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable
death in the United States, imposing a terrible toll on
families, businesses and government in terms of health, lives
and dollars; and
WHEREAS, Tobacco kills more than 400,000 people annually,
more than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders
and suicides combined; and
WHEREAS, Tobacco costs the United States more than $96
billion in health care expenditures and $97 billion in lost
productivity each year; and
WHEREAS, While the United States has made major progress
against tobacco use, nearly one in five Americans still smokes;
and
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WHEREAS, Each day approximately 3,000 youth under 18 years of
age try smoking for the first time and more than 700 youth
become new regular, daily smokers; and
WHEREAS, One in three of these youth will die prematurely
because of tobacco use; and
WHEREAS, Eight hundred million packs of cigarettes are
consumed by children each year; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 480,000 people die each year from
cigarette smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke; and
WHEREAS, Sixteen million people in the United States
currently suffer from smoking-caused illnesses; and
WHEREAS, The total annual public and private health care
expenditures caused by smoking is approximately $132.5 billion;
and
WHEREAS, The tobacco industry spends $8.8 billion or $24
million each day on marketing its products nationwide, with much
of the marketing aimed at children; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that visible, unified tobacco
cessation and prevention education efforts by community members
be launched to encourage all tobacco users to become tobacco-
free; and
WHEREAS, Businesses, government, law enforcement, schools,
faith-based institutions, service organizations, youth,
physicians, senior citizens, military, sports teams and
individuals from all other walks of life will demonstrate their
commitment to tobacco-free, healthy lifestyles by participating
in "Kick Butts Day"; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate March
16, 2016, as "Kick Butts Day" in Pennsylvania and encourage
residents of all ages to participate in tobacco cessation and
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prevention education activities to make a visible show of
support for our strong commitment to a tobacco-free community,
encouraging all youth and adults to pledge to be tobacco-free.
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