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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR19-077 Supporting Ballot Issue 1A Taxation of Tabacco and Nicotine Products moved adoption of the following Resolution: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO RESOLUTION NO. 2019- 0�� A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING BALLOT ISSUE 1A–FUNDING TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION THROUGH THE TAXATION OF TOBACCO AND NICOTINE PRODUCTS WHEREAS,the Board of County Commissioners for Eagle County("Board") is authorized by section 1-45-117(1)(b)(III)(A)to pass a resolution taking a position of advocacy on any local ballot issue; and WHEREAS, according to a recent survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Colorado has the highest vaping rate among 37 states surveyed—with Colorado teens vaping at twice the national average; and WHEREAS,the 2017 Healthy Kids Colorado survey, found about 40 percent of Eagle County high schoolers report use of vaping products within the past 30 days, compared to 27.1 percent in 2015; and WHEREAS,the Board placed Issue lA on the November 5, 2019 ballot as part of the county's efforts to stop the sharp increase in tobacco,nicotine and vaping usage by youths and teens in our community; and WHEREAS, Issue lA is a tobacco and nicotine sales tax of$4 per pack on cigarette and 40%on all other products, including e-cigarettes and vaping products; and WHEREAS,the Board also enacted Tobacco 21 age restriction and licensing in Eagle County to enforce age limits and the potential countywide tax; and WHEREAS,the Board took this multi-pronged approach since research shows that increasing the price of these products—combined with raising the purchasing age—are the best tools available to keep cigarettes and vaping products out of the hands of our kids; and WHEREAS,the dangers of cigarettes are well known, but data is just starting to emerge on the threat posed by vaping, especially on developing minds and bodies, from heavy metals, carcinogens and high concentrations of nicotine ingested from vape aerosol; and WHEREAS, according to the American Association of Pediatrics,vaping products can have two times the amount of nicotine in cigarettes, making quitting even harder; and WHEREAS, passage of Issue lA will help ensure that teens and youths, as well as adults, in our community are better protected from the harmful health effects of tobacco and nicotine; and WHEREAS,the Board supports public health programs and efforts to improve the health of all those who live in Eagle County. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR EAGLE COUNTY: THAT,the Board would like to join Avon, Vail, and our other community partners in supporting the passage of Ballot Issue 1A—Funding to Support Public Health Programs and Education through the Taxation of Tobacco and Nicotine Products. THAT,the Board hereby supports and encourages voters to approve Ballot Issue 1A. MOVED,READ AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado, at its regular meeting held the 22nd day of October, 2019. COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO, by and Through Its ATTEST: OF EAGe; BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS �o c z k-a...tt,.w- 0t 1zr - By: Clerk to the Board of �4Rgo0 nne McQueeney County Commissioners 06)/le ir By: Matt Sch Fr Commissioner By: 14-4+SLe- Kathy Chandler-Henry Commissioner Commissioner WDM �ka..t seconded adoption of the foregoing resolution. The roll having been called,the vote was as follows: Commissioner McQueeney Commissioner Scherr ►Q..y, Commissioner Chandler-Henry li4-tAS T This Resolution passed by Y' V vote of the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado.