WHEREAS tobacco use is the single largest cause of preventable death killing over 8,000 Washingtonians each year and costing $1.3 billion, and

WHEREAS the Washington State Public Health Association supports preventing and decreasing tobacco use, and

WHEREAS the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends tobacco tax increases as a best practice for reducing tobacco use, and

WHEREAS over 400,000 Washingtonians are eligible for health coverage under the Basic Health Plan, but the current enrollment cap of 130,000 prevents their receiving health coverage, and

WHEREAS the Washington State Public Health Association supports universal health coverage, and

WHEREAS Initiative 773 would raise the state tobacco tax by 60 cents per pack of cigarettes as well as place an additional surtax on wholesale tobacco sales, and

WHEREAS part of these funds would be used to increase enrollment in the Basic Health Plan and expand the state Tobacco Control and Prevention Program, THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington State Public Health Association does endorse and support passage of Initiative 773, shall communicate this support as widely as possible, and shall join with the American Lung Association of Washington in supporting this effort.