PRINTER'S NO. 3059
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
709
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY HILL-EVANS, HENNESSEY, MILLARD, TOOHIL, DEAN,
SCHLOSSBERG, ENGLISH, MURT, DAVIS, BAKER, RABB, DRISCOLL,
PASHINSKI, DiGIROLAMO, LONGIETTI, SAYLOR, SOLOMON, WARD,
BURNS, SONNEY, DUSH, KAVULICH, J. McNEILL, MADDEN, NEILSON
AND WATSON, MARCH 6, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 6, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Designating March 21, 2018, 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, nearly one in five Americans still smokes;
and
WHEREAS, Each day, more than 3,200 youths under 18 years of
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age try smoking for the first time and more than 2,100 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, Approximately 53,800 people die each year from
exposure to secondhand smoke; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, more than 16 million people
currently suffer from smoking-caused illnesses; and
WHEREAS, The tobacco industry spends approximately $8.9
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
21, 2018, 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,
encouraging all youths and adults to pledge to be tobacco-free.
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