HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2000-002WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO.-. 2000 -041
CLEARANCES Date Date Received in Council Ottice Agenda Date Assigned To
Ong. Dept.: County Council
011042000
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W L C�J L III V LS
JAN 04 2000
WHATCOM COUN
COUNCIL
01/112000
Council
Division Head:
Dew. Head:
prosecutor.
Budget:
ExewM1Ve:
SUBJECT.
Resolution supporting the use of tobacco settlement funds for prevention program
ATTACHMENTS
SUMMARYSTATEMENT.
Related County Contract N: Should the Clerk schedule a hearing? (Y/N Requested Date:
Rtsobmiaaa.tiupporting the use of tobacco settlement funds for tobacco prevention and control programs
RECOMMENDED MOTION (for final action):
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN:
2000 -41 1/11/2000: Amended and approved, 7-0, Res. 2000 -002
Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only):
RE5a* 2=-CoZ
(2)30/99 SPONSORED BY: Health
PROPOSED BY: Health & Human Serv.
INTRODUCTION DATE: 1/11/2000
RESOLUTION NO 2000 -002
SUPPORTING THE USE OF TOBACCO SETTLEMENT FUNDS FOR TOBACCO
PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAMS
WHEREAS, tobacco use constitutes a great and persistent threat to public health;
WHEREAS, tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable premature death;
WHEREAS, tobacco use has increased among Washington youth and the prevalence
of smoking has increased from 1990 to 1998 for 6' graders (from 2.4 % to 4.7 %), 10' graders
(15.5% to 21.8 %), and high school seniors (20.7% to 28.6 %);
WHEREAS, every day 65 children in Washington State begin smoking or chewing
tobacco and one -third of them will die as a direct result of using tobacco;
WHEREAS, the youth of Whatcom County and Washington State are precious;
WHEREAS, tobacco kills more than 8,000 people in Washington State every year and
costs more than $1.3 billion a year in hospital and medical costs;
WHEREAS, tobacco use kills more people in Washington every year than all deaths -
from AIDS, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, motor vehicle crashes, fires, homicides and
suicides combined; -
WHEREAS, tobacco prevention is estimated to save 28,000 lives and $136 million in
state Medicaid costs in three years;
WHEREAS, adequately funded tobacco prevention programs have achieved successful
and measurable results in other states; and
WHEREAS, the Governor and Legislature, recognizing the human and economic toll
tobacco use takes, established a dedicated account for tobacco prevention and control and
agreed to put $100 million of the tobacco settlement funds into the account from the state's
first tobacco settlement payment;
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Health Board
supports the dedicated use of $100 million (out of the $323 million) from the tobacco settlement
funds for tobacco prevention and control programs designed to prevent children from becoming
addicted to tobacco and helping users quit. The Whatcom County Health Board opposes using
those funds for any other purpose, including making up for funding shortfalls due to Initiative
695.
APPROVED this 11 day of January , 2000.
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Civil Deputy 'V secutor
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Ao�'p A
Marlene Dawson, Council Chair
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