National Latino Congreso

Resolution 3.12 (Floor Submission)

For Consideration by the National Latino Congreso

Friday, September 8th, 2006

Author: Guillermo Brito

Organization: National Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention (LCAT)

Email:

Phone:

Title: LCAT Urges the Latino Community to Support Tobacco Control Initiatives that Correct Health Disparities and Reach Latino Youth

WHEREAS, tobacco is the #1 cause of preventable death in the United States, and as big tobacco is increasingly restrained from targeting "mainstream" America, the industry is increasingly targeting communities of color, particularly Latino youth;

WHEREAS, the Latino community is the largest, fastest growing, and youngest race/ethnic group in California and nationwide, big tobacco looks to our youth as an "emerging market";

FURTHERMORE although the Latino community supports clean air policies, many Latino/a service, construction, agricultural, child and elder care workers remain unprotected against secondhand smoke, also a killer;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE 2006 NATIONAL LATINO CONGRESO:

1. That we need to protect the health of the community, especially the youth, as they represent the future. California Ballot Initiative Proposition 86 (Prop. 86) would increase the cigarette tax by $0.13 in California, in order to provide essential health care for all the state’s children, without discrimination. If passed, Prop 86 will also provide critical funds to prevent Latino youth from initiating smoking, as well as for programs to help smokers quit.

2. That the national Latino Congreso and the participating Latino organizations, leadership and community members support California Proposition 86 and similar measures nationwide.