HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2018 - 06 RAISING THE MINIMUM AGE TO BUY TOBACCO PRODUCTS FROM 18 TO 21
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RESOLUTION FOR RAISING THE MINIMUM AGE TO BUY
TOBACCO PRODUCTS FROM 18 TO 21
Resolution 2018 - 06
WHEREAS: Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable disease and premature
death in the U.S.; and
WHEREAS: Each year approximately 1,800 Idahoans die from tobacco use and 1,100
Idaho youth become new regular, daily smokers, of whom one-third will die prematurely
because of this addiction; and
WHEREAS: 95% of current adult smokers began using tobacco before age 21, and the ages
of 18 to 21 are a critical period when many experimental smokers transition to regular, daily
use; and
WHEREAS: Raising the age of sale will help keep tobacco out of high schools, where
younger teens often obtain tobacco products from 18-year-olds; and
WHEREAS: Currently more than 220 cities in 16 states, and the States of Hawaii,
California, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Oregon have already raised the minimum age of
legal access to tobacco products; and
WHEREAS: Tobacco related health costs in Idaho total more than $508 million per year,
including more than $100.5 million in state and federal Medicaid expenditures; and
WHEREAS: Despite legal settlements and laws, the tobacco companies still spend $9.6
billion per year to market their product, targeting kids and young adults because they know
before age 21 is when most users become addicted; and
WHEREAS: The Mayor and City Council of the City of Rexburg cares about the health and
well-being of their community and especially their youth; and
WHEREAS: The Mayor and City Council of the City of Rexburg strongly encourages all
Idaho cities and counties to enact a similar resolution in favor of Tobacco 21 to send a clear
message to our state legislators.
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NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Mayor and City Council of the City
of Rexburg endorses raising the minimum age of legal access to tobacco products,
E-cigarettes, and liquid nicotine products to 21 years of age and encourages our Idaho State
Legislators to pass a Tobacco 21 Ordinance for the entire state of Idaho.
RESOLVED this 18th day of April, 2018; by the City Council, City of Rexburg, Idaho.
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SIGNED BY: Jerry Merrill, Mayor
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ATTEST: Deborah Lovejoy, City Clerk