SR0092 LRB094 10870 RXD 41405 r

1
SENATE 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
 

 

 

SR0092 - 2 - LRB094 10870 RXD 41405 r

1     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL
2 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we will promote the
3 health of all Illinois residents by working to reduce the toll
4 of tobacco on Illinoisans, and we urge the Honorable Governor
5 Rod Blagojevich to do the same; and be it further
 
6     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7 delivered to the Governor of the State of Illinois.