HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-12-07RESOLUTION NO. R-12-07
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER
COUNTY, FLORIDA, URGING THE EDUCATION OF YOUTH WITH RESPECT
TO THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND
THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS RESTRICTING THE SALE OF FLAVORED
TOBACCO PRODUCTS; PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death in the United
States, and almost 90 percent of tobacco users started before they were 18 years old, and
WHEREAS, research from the Harvard School of Public Health found that tobacco
manufacturers are targeting youth with flavored products that mask the harsh and toxic
properties found in tobacco smoke and spit residue, and
WHEREAS, tobacco manufacturers use colorful and stylish packaging, and flavors such
as Cherry, Grape, Peach and others identified in the majority of retail outlets in Indian River
County to make flavored tobacco products more attractive to youth, and
WHEREAS, national studies have found that the vast majority of people who are using
these flavored tobacco products are youth and young adults, and
WHEREAS, youth in Indian River County may be particularly susceptible to flavored
tobacco products; specifically (1) nearly one in four Indian River County high school youth have
used one or more tobacco products in the past 30 days, and (2) Indian River County youth,
especially middle school youth, use smokeless tobacco products at a significantly higher
average rate than the youth in the State of Florida, frequently using such products which contain
flavoring characteristics; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey shows that at least 79% of the tobacco
obtained by youth in Indian River County is obtained through social and other sources and not
direct underage purchases by the minors themselves, making existing age restrictions
inadequate protection to keep these flavored products out of the hands of youth.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, as follows:
(1) All parents and other persons in the position of advising or counseling youth in
Sebastian, Florida are urged to educate youth to the addictive and harmful
effects of flavored tobacco products, so that youth are not misled by advertising,
packaging or sweet flavors into believing that flavored tobacco products are safe
and non-addictive, and
�2)
All law enforcement officers in the City of Sebastian are urged to enforce all laws
regulating the sale or use of flavored tobacco products to and by youth.
(3) This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
A motion to adopt the foregoing Resolution was made by Council Member cov
The motion was seconded by Council member cilimor and, upon being put to a vote,
the vote was as follows:
Mayor Jim Hill
Vice Mayor pon Wright
Council Member Andrea Coy
Council Member Richard Gillmor
Council Member Bob McPartlan
aye
aye
aye
aye
aye
The Mayor thereupon declared this Resolution duly passed and adopted this 8th day of
February, 2012.
ATES: --
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Sa A. M � , MMC
City Cler
CITY OF S BA TIAN, FLORIDA
By:
Hill, ayor
Approved as to form and legality for
reliance by the City of Sebastian only:
�
Robert A. Ginsburg, City Attorney
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