See other bills
under the
same topic
PRINTER'S NO. 3212
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
694
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY HILL-EVANS, KIM, PASHINSKI, KINSEY, SONNEY,
BIZZARRO, FREEMAN, MURT, SCHLOSSBERG, BURNS, MILLARD,
KENYATTA, CIRESI, LONGIETTI, KORTZ, ULLMAN, SCHMITT, THOMAS,
HOWARD, SAYLOR, TOOHIL, WILLIAMS, NEILSON, ROEBUCK AND
CONKLIN, JANUARY 30, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JANUARY 30, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing March 18, 2020, 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, While the United States has made major progress
against tobacco use, approximately 13.7% of American adults
still smoke; 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-related illnesses; and
WHEREAS, Tobacco costs the United States more than $170
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
billion in health care expenditures and $156 billion in lost
productivity each year; and
WHEREAS, Each day, approximately 2,000 youths under 18 years
of age try smoking for the first time and more than 300 youths
become new regular, daily smokers; and
WHEREAS, One in thirteen youths who are regular, daily
smokers will die prematurely because of tobacco use; and
WHEREAS, In 2019, approximately 27.5% of high school students
used electronic cigarettes; and
WHEREAS, The tobacco industry spends approximately $9.4
billion annually or $25 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, To win the fight against tobacco, it is imperative
to prevent teens from starting to use tobacco products, help
current tobacco users quit and protect all individuals from
harmful secondhand smoke; 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
18, 2020, as "Kick Butts Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage
20200HR0694PN3212 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
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.
20200HR0694PN3212 - 3 -
1
2
3
4