2008-45
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-45
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA SUPPORTING AN INCREASE IN
FLORIDA'S CIGARETTE TAX AND URGING THE
ADDITIONAL FUNDS GENERATED BE EARMARKED FOR
SMOKING-RELATED HEALTH AND PREVENTIVE
EDUCATION ISSUES; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE
AIMS OF THIS RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, tobacco use kills more than 400,000 people each year in the United
States, more than the total number killed by AIDS, alcohol, motor vehicles, homicide, illegal
drugs and suicide combined; and
WHEREAS, smoking is a major cause of heart disease, cerebrovascular disease,
chronic bronchitis and emphysema; and
WHEREAS, cigarette smoking accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths, 87%
of lung cancer deaths, is associated with increased risk of at least 15 types of cancer, and
secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 substances, more than 50 of which are
known or suspected to cause cancer; and
WHEREAS, in Florida, nearly 1.2 million youth alive today will become smokers and
approximately 369,000 will die from smoking; and
WHEREAS, smoking related health costs in Florida total more than $6.3 billion
annually, with $1.2 billion being covered by the state's Medicaid program; and
WHEREAS, Florida has not increased its cigarette tax since July 1990, ranking 46th
lowest in the nation with 33.9 cents per pack, while national average is $1.18 per pack; and
WHEREAS, increasing Florida's cigarette tax by $1.00 per pack would likely
generate more than $1.06 billion of tax revenue, while preventing 224,600 children from
starting to smoke and causing 123,300 adults to stop smoking.
Resolution No. 2008-45
Page 2
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF A VENTURA, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City of Aventura supports measures that would increase Florida's
cigarette tax by at least $1.00 per pack and that this tax revenue be earmarked for
healthcare and preventive education to assist people to quit smoking and discourage youth
from starting to smoke.
Section 2. The City Manager is hereby authorized to do all things necessary and
expedient in order to carry out the aims of this Resolution.
Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Commissioner Holzberg, who moved its
adoption. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Auerbach, and upon being put
to a vote, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Zev Auerbach yes
Commissioner Bob Diamond yes
Commissioner Teri Holzberg yes
Commissioner Michael Stern yes
Commissioner Luz Urbaez Weinberg yes
Vice Mayor Billy Joel yes
Mayor Susan Gottlieb yes
Resolution No. 2008-.!iS
Page 3
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of November, 2008.
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
f-If'h.
CITY ATTORNEY