SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 455
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
join the citizens of the El Paso region in celebrating the 15th
anniversary of A Smoke-Free Paso del Norte; and
WHEREAS, A Smoke-Free Paso del Norte is a comprehensive
initiative designed to reduce or eliminate tobacco use in the El
Paso region using the evidence-based approaches devised by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the effort was
organized in 1999 by A Smoke-Free Paso del Norte Coalition and is
funded by the Paso del Norte Health Foundation; and
WHEREAS, The coalition used a variety of methods to raise
public awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke, including
letter-writing campaigns, petition gathering, community outreach
education, and print and television advertising; these efforts led
to the city's passage of the Public and Workplace Smoking
Restrictions Ordinance in 2001; and
WHEREAS, Since the passage of the ordinance, the prevalence
of smoking in the El Paso region has been reduced to less than 14
percent, one of the lowest rates in the state, and the initiative
has been recognized as a gold standard by leading state and
national tobacco control organizations; other successes include
the introduction of tobacco-awareness programs in prenatal and
parenting classes and the implementation of a tobacco-free policy
at The University of Texas at El Paso; and
WHEREAS, A Smoke-Free Paso del Norte has had a profound and
measurable impact on improving the health of citizens throughout
the El Paso region, and it is truly fitting that this initiative
receive special recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby commend the organizers and supporters of A
Smoke-Free Paso del Norte on their commitment to public health
and extend to them best wishes for a memorable 15th-anniversary
celebration; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of this special occasion.
RodrÃguez
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 20, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate