RES-2015-036 Resolution Requesting that the NC General Assembly Rescind Preemption of Tobacco Regulation, Including Electronic Cigarette, and Therefore Restore Local Control Over Tobacco Policies

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RES-2015-036 Pff &-+A616- �h ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESCIND PREEMPTION OF TOBACCO REGULATION, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES, AND THEREFORE RESTORE LOCAL CONTROL OVER TOBACCO POLICIES WHEREAS, the health consequences of smoking are staggering, and there is irrefutable evidence that tobacco use causes cancer, respiratory and cardiac diseases, infertility, negative birth outcomes, irritations to the eyes, nose and throat (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2014); and WHEREAS, the economic losses in health care expenditures are equally important and the use of tobacco products cost the U.S. as much as $170 billion in health care expenditures each year (Xu, Bishop, Kennedy, Simpson, & Pechacek, 2014); and WHEREAS, nearly 90% of all smokers begin smoking before the age of eighteen (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 2014); and WHEREAS, in North Carolina, 1 in every 10 middle school students is a current tobacco user and 3 in every 10 high school students is a current tobacco user; and WHEREAS, in North Carolina, 8,676 middle school students currently smoke cigarettes; and 55,688 high school students currently smoke cigarettes; (North Carolina Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch ); and WHEREAS, there is supportive evidence that increasing the minimum legal age of purchase to 21 will save more lives, reduce initiation among adolescents and young adults, and immediately improve the health of adolescents, young adults and young mothers who would be deterred from smoking, as well as their children (Institute of Medicine, 2015); and WHEREAS, we believe in the need to educate and empower youth about the harmful effects of tobacco use and prohibit these incidences of purchase until the conscious age of 21 years; and WHEREAS, penalties included in G.S 14-313 Youth access to tobacco products, tobacco-derived products, vapor products, and cigarette wrapping papers would remain the same; and WHEREAS, in recognition of the damaging effects of preemption and the importance of community tobacco control policies, both the Healthy People 2010 and the Healthy People 2020 objectives, which are developed by the Department of Health and Human Services to set the national public health agenda for each decade, include an objective calling for the elimination of all state laws that preempt local tobacco control policies (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013). NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Orange County Board of Commissioners joins with the Orange County Board of Health to request that the North Carolina General Assembly restore local control over tobacco policies by rescinding preemption; therefore, granting Orange County the legal authority to protect residents from known public health threats by enacting innovative, evidence-based policies such as an increase in the minimum sale age of tobacco products from 18 to 21. The lifting of preemption reinstates local capacity to develop public policy and revitalizes community debate, education and empowerment. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we also call on other Boards of Commissioners to request the restoration of local control over tobacco policies so as to better help prevent youth initiation. This the 16th Day of June 2015. Earl McKee, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners