HomeMy WebLinkAbout060A 16Ce -- -]W � - 9� - 17
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
IN THE MATTER OF BOH SUPPORT }
FOR RAISING THE LEGAL SALES } RESOLUTION NO. 60A-16
AGE FOR TOBACCO AND VAPOR }
PRODUCTS FROM 18 TO 21 1
WHEREAS, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States,
killing more than 8,300 Washingtonians each year—more than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal
drugs, murders, and suicides combined—and causing cancer, heart disease, and respiratory
diseases, among other health disorders, that add an estimated $2.81 billion in annual health care
costs in Washington alone;
WHEREAS, in 2014, the number of Washington 10th graders using either cigarettes, smokeless
tobacco, or electronic cigarettes was 20 out of 100;
WHEREAS, in 2015 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) concluded that raising the legal sales age for
tobacco products to 21 would reduce tobacco initiation among youth, especially those aged 15-17,
improve health across the lifespan, and save lives;
WHEREAS, the IOM projected that if the legal sales age for tobacco products were raised to 21
nationwide, there would be approximately 223,000 fewer premature deaths, 50,000 fewer deaths
from lung cancer, and 4.2 million fewer years of life lost for persons born in the US between
2000 and 2019, and result in near -immediate reductions in preterm births, low birth weight
babies, and sudden infant death syndrome;
WHEREAS, raising the legal sales age for alcohol to 21 is associated with reduced alcohol use
and dependence among persons under 21;
WHEREAS, raising the legal sales age for tobacco from 18 to 21 will help lead to less smoking
and tobacco use among Washington teens aged 12-17, sparing these young people from the
ravages that develop over time from harmful and highly addictive tobacco products;
WHEREAS, legislation to raise the legal sales age for tobacco and vapor products from 18 to 21 has
been introduced in the Washington State Legislature but has not yet been enacted;
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Board of Health wants to protect the young people of our county from
the ravages of tobacco and nicotine addiction;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Jefferson County Board of Health calls upon the
Washington State Legislature, and the senators and representatives who represent the people of
Jefferson County to pass legislation raising the legal sales age for tobacco and vapor products
from 18 to 21.
B01 -I Resolution #' XX -16 130H supports raising the letgal sales age for tobacco and vaping products Page I of 2
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED The Jefferson County Board of Health hereby supports raising the
legal sales age for tobacco and vapor products from 18 to 21.
APPROVED, ADOPTED AND PASSED, THIS �ay of Dttrnhey" 2016.
The Board of ealth, Jefferson County
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David Sullivan, Chair
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J' Buhler, Member
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Kathleen Kler, Member
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John ustin, Aember
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Catharine Robinson, Vice -Chair
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Phil Johnson, Member
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Sheila Westerman, Member
13011 Resolutions XX -16 130H supports raising the legal sales age for tobacco and vaping products Page 2 of 2