PRINTER'S NO. 950
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
152
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY HILL-EVANS, DiGIROLAMO, KORTZ, LONGIETTI,
HENNESSEY, MILLARD, OBERLANDER, MURT, BURNS, SCHLOSSBERG,
CALTAGIRONE, FREEMAN, MULLINS, KINSEY, McNEILL, ZABEL, DALEY,
TOOHIL, HOWARD, SONNEY, SCHLEGEL CULVER, RAVENSTAHL,
FITZGERALD, NEILSON, SCHROEDER, PASHINSKI, KIM AND SAYLOR,
MARCH 14, 2019
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 14, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing March 20, 2019, 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 480,000 people annually,
more than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders
and suicides combined; and
WHEREAS, Tobacco costs the United States more than $170
billion in health care expenditures and $156 billion in lost
productivity each year; and
WHEREAS, While the United States has made major progress
against tobacco use, approximately 15.5% of American adults
still smoke; and
WHEREAS, Each day, approximately 2,000 youths under 18 years
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of age try smoking for the first time and more than 300 youths
become new regular, daily smokers; and
WHEREAS, One in thirteen of these youths will die prematurely
because of tobacco use; and
WHEREAS, Each year, 540 million packs of cigarettes are
consumed by children; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, an estimated 41,000 adults
die each year from exposure to secondhand smoke; and
WHEREAS, More than 16 million Americans currently suffer from
smoking-caused illnesses; and
WHEREAS, The tobacco industry spends approximately $9.5
billion annually or $26 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, youths,
physicians, senior citizens, military organizations, sports
teams and individuals from all walks of life can demonstrate
their commitment to tobacco-free, healthy lifestyles by
participating in "Kick Butts Day"; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize March
20, 2019, as "Kick Butts Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage
residents of all ages to participate in tobacco cessation and
prevention education activities to make a visible show of
support for our strong commitment to a tobacco-free community,
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encouraging all youths and adults to pledge to be tobacco-free.
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