PRINTER'S NO. 685
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
106
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY HILL-EVANS, MILLARD, READSHAW, BAKER, DiGIROLAMO,
TOOHIL, SCHLEGEL CULVER, BIZZARRO, HENNESSEY, LONGIETTI,
MURT, D. COSTA, KINSEY, FREEMAN, SAYLOR, FRANKEL, NEILSON,
WATSON, PASHINSKI, BURNS, KORTZ AND THOMAS, FEBRUARY 28, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
FEBRUARY 28, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating March 15, 2017, 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 $151 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
WHEREAS, Each day approximately 3,000 youths under 18 years
of age try smoking for the first time and more than 700 youths
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become new regular, daily smokers; and
WHEREAS, One in three 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, Approximately 50,000 people die each year from
exposure to secondhand smoke; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, 16 million people currently
suffer from smoking-caused illnesses; 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, 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 designate March
15, 2017, as "Kick Butts Day" in Pennsylvania and 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,
encouraging all youths and adults to pledge to be tobacco-free.
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