RESOLUTION NO. 020438

Stating the Citys position and authorizing the Citys Health Commission to advocate on the Citys behalf to the State General Assembly and the State Executive Branch to allow voters to decide a question of a tobacco excise tax increase as recommended by the Tobacco Control and Prevention Committee of the Citys Health Commission pertaining to ongoing funding for prevention and elimination of death and illnesses caused by tobacco products.

WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council have created a Health Commission to advise the City of Kansas City and its Health Department on issues of concern to the publics health; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council have expressed concerns over restrictions on local excise taxes enacted by the Missouri General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, the Tobacco Control and Prevention Committee, a Committee of the Health Commission, has been charged with advising the Mayor, City Council and Health Department on tobacco control and prevention issues; and

WHEREAS, tobacco is the number one preventable cause of death and disease both nationally and locally; and

WHEREAS, Missouris state excise tax is frozen at $0.17 per pack (currently ranking Missouri 43rd among the 50 states); and

WHEREAS, the Missouri General Assembly has failed to pass permanent legislation regarding the allocation of funding from the Master Settlement Agreement for Tobacco; and

WHEREAS, the Tobacco Control and Prevention Committee has identified ongoing funding of tobacco control and prevention efforts to be an area of priority; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council support the effort of the Tobacco Control and Prevention Committee of the Health Commission and requires their guidance and advice in policy matters related to tobacco control and authorizes the Health Commission, through the Tobacco Control and Prevention Committee, to advocate on the Citys behalf to the State General Assembly and State Executive Branch the following: Negotiations regarding a petition initiative in 2003 to allow voters to resolve the question of a proposed increase to the States statewide tobacco excise tax. If approved by voters the increase would support local tobacco prevention efforts, state and local public health infrastructure, life sciences research and health care treatment and access.

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