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Regular Session, 2013
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 120
BY SENATOR HEITMEIER
COMMENDATIONS. Commends the Louisiana Hospital Association for its efforts to
reduce smoking in hospitals and the community through its hospital workplace wellness
initiative, Smart Choices, Better Health Hospital Campaign, and encourages the Louisiana
Hospital Association to continue leading by example by building on this initiative and by
recommending further ways to decrease tobacco use in Louisiana.
A RESOLUTION1
To commend the Louisiana Hospital Association for its efforts to reduce smoking in2
hospitals and the community through its hospital workplace wellness initiative,3
Smart Choices, Better Health Hospital Campaign, and to encourage the Louisiana4
Hospital Association to continue leading by example by building on this initiative5
and by submitting in the form of a report, recommendations on further ways to6
decrease tobacco use in Louisiana to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on7
or before January 15, 2014.8
WHEREAS, it is with pride that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana9
commends and recognizes the efforts of the Louisiana Hospital Association to reduce10
smoking in hospitals and the community through its hospital workplace wellness initiative,11
Smart Choices, Better Health Hospital Campaign; and12
WHEREAS, tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death according to the13
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and14
WHEREAS, it is well known that smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, and15
lung disease, and for every person who dies from a smoking-related disease, twenty more16
people suffer with at least one serious illness from smoking; and17
WHEREAS, the Surgeon General has reported that there is no safe level of18 SR NO. 120
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second-hand smoke; and1
WHEREAS, research in recent years has demonstrated that even third-hand smoke,2
which is the smoke that is absorbed by clothes, walls, and carpets after a cigarette is smoked,3
contains the same toxic chemicals as second-hand smoke; and4
WHEREAS, as stewards of the public's health, hospitals are uniquely positioned to5
serve as leaders in the war against tobacco; and6
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Hospital Association has recognized that it is important7
for the hospital industry to lead by example and demonstrate ways for their patients to live8
healthier lives; and9
WHEREAS, through its Smart Choices, Better Health Hospital Campaign, the10
Louisiana Hospital Association is helping hospital campuses become tobacco-free and11
linking hospital employees and patients with tobacco cessation resources.12
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana13
does hereby commend the great work being done at the Louisiana Hospital Association to14
reduce smoking in hospitals and the community through its workplace wellness initiative,15
Smart Choices, Better Health Hospital Campaign.16
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana17
encourages the Louisiana Hospital Association to continue leading by example by building18
on this initiative and by submitting in the form of a report, recommendations on further ways19
to decrease tobacco use in Louisiana to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on or20
before January 15, 2014.21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the22
president of the Louisiana Hospital Association.23
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Christopher D. Adams.
DIGEST
Heitmeier SR No. 120
Commends the Louisiana Hospital Association for its efforts to reduce smoking in hospitals
and the community through its hospital workplace wellness initiative, Smart Choices, Better
Health Hospital Campaign, and by submitting in the form of a report recommendations on
further ways to decrease tobacco use in Louisiana to the Senate Health and Welfare
Committee on or before January 15, 2014.