Page 1 of 2 Regular Session, 2013 ENROLLED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 120 BY SENATOR HEITMEIER A RESOLUTION To commend 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 to encourage the Louisiana Hospital Association to continue leading by example by building on this initiative 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. WHEREAS, it is with pride that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana commends and recognizes the efforts of the Louisiana Hospital Association to reduce smoking in hospitals and the community through its hospital workplace wellness initiative, Smart Choices, Better Health Hospital Campaign; and WHEREAS, tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and WHEREAS, it is well known that smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, and lung disease, and for every person who dies from a smoking-related disease, twenty more people suffer with at least one serious illness from smoking; and WHEREAS, the Surgeon General has reported that there is no safe level of second-hand smoke; and WHEREAS, research in recent years has demonstrated that even third-hand smoke, which is the smoke that is absorbed by clothes, walls, and carpets after a cigarette is smoked, contains the same toxic chemicals as second-hand smoke; and WHEREAS, as stewards of the public's health, hospitals are uniquely positioned to serve as leaders in the war against tobacco; and SR NO. 120 ENROLLED Page 2 of 2 WHEREAS, the Louisiana Hospital Association has recognized that it is important for the hospital industry to lead by example and demonstrate ways for their patients to live healthier lives; and WHEREAS, through its Smart Choices, Better Health Hospital Campaign, the Louisiana Hospital Association is helping hospital campuses become tobacco-free and linking hospital employees and patients with tobacco cessation resources. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the great work being done at the Louisiana Hospital Association to reduce smoking in hospitals and the community through its workplace wellness initiative, Smart Choices, Better Health Hospital Campaign. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana encourages the Louisiana Hospital Association to continue leading by example by building on this initiative 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. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the president of the Louisiana Hospital Association. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE