HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.111-04RESOLUTION NO. I~b Series of 2004
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE C!TY OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
URGING cITy OF ASPEN VOTERS TO SU~POR~ XME~DME~T 25; PROViD'~G F~DING FOR
HEALTH CARE RELATED PURPOSES m COL0~DO WITH ANINCREASE m CIGARETTE
TAXES
WHEREAS, Colorado's budget circumstances and inadequate healthcare funding impact
the health of residents of Colorado and limit the availability of health care in Colorado; and
WHEREAS, cigarette smoking is the largest preventable cause of unnecessary death in
the United States and in Colorado; and
WHEREAS, tobacco claims more lives than drugs, alcohol, sexual behavior, firearms,
and motor vehicle injuries combined; and
WHEREAS, cigarette smoking greatly increases the risk of premature death from a
number of chronic diseases, which account for more than 60 percent of all deaths recorded in
Colorado each year; and
WHEREAS, smoking also affects nonsmokers, who suffer the health consequences of
environmental tobacco smoke; women who smoke during pregnancy are at higher risk for
pregnancy complications; and their babies are at risk for growth retardation, low birth
weight and infant mortality; and
WHEREAS, every year more than 4,000 Coloradans die from tobacco-related illnesses,
and approximately $1 billion is spent each year in Colorado on smoking-related health expenses;
and
WHEREAS, an amendment is necessary to ensure funds generated by this measure are
spent on health care programs and not diverted by the legislature to cover other funding
shortfalls; and
WHEREAS, Colorado is the only state in the nation that exempts cigarettes from its
sales tax, and ranks 49th among all states in its per,pack excise tax on cigarettes; and
WHEREAS, Amendment 35 is a citizen's initiative that asks Cgl0rad9 y0ters t0 approve
a constitutional amendment that creates a 6479egt5 taxper cigarette pack, with the revenue stream
(est. $175 million/year) to be allocated to vital programs including health care for uninsured
residents, medically indigent and children; community-based health clinics; heart and tung cancer
screening and treatment; and anti-smoking programs;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT th9 ~ity Council of the City of Aspen,
Colorado supports Amendment 35 "Tobacco Tax for Healthcare Related Purposes" on the
November 2004 statewide ballot and urges City of Aspen residents to vote in favor of this
amendment.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Aspen on this 25th day of
October, 2004.
Helen Kalin Klanderud,
I, Kathryn S. Koch, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the foregoing
is a true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City COUncil of the City of Aspen,
.Col0radt~~, :ht'a'~eetlhg h~ld 6n the day hereinab0Ve stated.