HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2003-021 Resolution in Support of an Increase in North Carolina’s Tax on Cigarettes~l ~S-o?G ~i J - o~ /
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AN INCREASE IN NORTH
CAROLINA'S TAX ON CIGARETTES
March 2003
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners joins the Orange County Board of
Health in carrying out the responsibility of protecting and promoting the health of the people of
Orange County; and
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WHEREAS, a goal of Healthy People 2010 is to "reduce illness, disability, and death related to
tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke"; and
WHEREAS, death rates from heart disease and cancer, the leading causes of death in North
Carolina and Orange County are partially attributable to smoking and tobacco use; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina's cigarette tax is currently $.05, the 3`d lowest in the nation; and
WHEREAS, the use of tobacco products costs the State $4.75 billion in medical costs and lost
productivity annually; and
WHEREAS, each year 24,090 children in North Carolina start smoking each year (66 a day); and
WHEREAS, the best way to prevent and reduce tobacco use by children is to substantially
increase the cost of cigarettes; and
WHEREAS, such a tax increase would result in a 16.1% decrease in youth smoking rates,
preventing 105,750 North Carolina children from starting to smoke and saving 33,750 premature
smoking-related death; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina expects to suffer approximately a $2 billion deficit in fiscal year
2003, the third year of significant deficits; and
WHEREAS, these deficits have caused cuts to important programs affecting the health and
wellness of the citizens and more reductions are threatened; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina targets almost no state funds towards preventing tobacco use; and
WHEREAS, such an increase would generate new revenue;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of County
Commissioners supports an increase in the cigarette tax in North Carolina to be used primarily
for health programs and for reducing and preventing tobacco use.
This the 5`h day of March, 2003.
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Margaret Brown, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
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