HR0152

LRB094 10187 RXD 40454 r






1

HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
2
    WHEREAS, More Americans die every year from 
3
tobacco-related diseases than from AIDS, alcohol, car 
4
accidents, fires, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides 
5
combined; and

 
6
    WHEREAS, The annual health care costs in Illinois directly 
7
related to smoking is approximately $3.2 billion; and 
 
8
    WHEREAS, Of the $3.2 billion, Medicaid pays for 
9
approximately $1.22 billion; and

 
10
    WHEREAS, The number of children who are currently under the 
11
age of 18 who will die prematurely due to smoking is estimated 
12
to be 297,000; and
 
13
    WHEREAS, Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of 
14
preventable death in the United States; and
 
15
    WHEREAS, Individuals exposed to secondhand smoke in the 
16
workplace are 34% more likely to develop lung cancer; and 
 
17
    WHEREAS, A non-smoker in a smoky restaurant can consume the 
18
equivalent of 4 cigarettes in 2 hours; and
 
19
    WHEREAS, An estimated 65,000 people die each year in the 
20
United States from exposure to secondhand smoke, nearly 1,570 
21
people in Illinois; and 
 
22
    WHEREAS, Comprehensive Cancer Planning efforts, in 
23
collaboration with the Illinois Department of Public Health, 
24
have identified promoting tobacco prevention initiatives as a 
25
key priority area to reduce cancer incidence and mortality in 
26
Illinois; therefore, be it
 
 


 






HR0152
- 2 -
LRB094 10187 RXD 40454 r




1
    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
2
NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
3
we promise the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division Inc., 
4
that we will promote the health of all Illinois residents by 
5
working to reduce the toll of tobacco on Illinoisans, and we 
6
urge the Honorable Governor Rod Blagojevich to do the same; and 
7
be it further

 
8
    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
9
delivered to the Governor of the State of Illinois.