TITLE: Recognizing A Smoke-Free Paso del Norte on the occasion of its 15th anniversary.

SUMMARY: Recognizing A Smoke-Free Paso del Norte on the occasion of its 15th anniversary.

FULL TEXT:
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. Rodr guez President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 20, 2017.