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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
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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