Recognizing the damaging long term health effects that all forms of tobacco use can have on the body, including, but not limited to, cancers in almost all parts of the body, respiratory disorders and complications, cardiovascular disorders and complications, lower life expectancy and a wide range of other harmful effects;
Acknowledging that many individuals who suffer health effects from tobacco use may not be aware of the health risks, or may simply be too addicted to the nicotine inside the tobacco product to stop;
Concerned by the severe lack of legislation regarding this pressing matter;
Believing that this is both a global and national health issue, given the widespread use and availability of cigarettes and other tobacco products in almost every nation.
Hereby:
Defines "Tobacco Products", as any product made or derived from tobacco that is intended for consumption, including any component, or part of a tobacco product. This includes, among other products, cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, and smokeless tobacco. Nicotine extracted from tobacco plants (or related species) falls under this definition, unless it can be shown that the health and addictive effects commonly caused by tobacco products are not also caused by the isolated nicotine extract.
Mandates that WA Members task their appropriate regulatory bodies to require tobacco companies to put warning labels on all tobacco products sold in the nation which inform consumers of potential health and addiction risks.
Further Mandates that WA Member nations provide health services to citizens who are suffering from the health effects of long-term tobacco usage, as well as vulnerable citizens who are currently addicted to the nicotine in tobacco products.
Requires that WA Members task their appropriate regulatory bodies to guarantee that all future tobacco products claiming to be safe for consumers undergo rigorous testing proving the claim before they can go on the market with that advertising. If proven to be a safe alternative to current tobacco products, the product can qualify for a health/addiction risk labeling waiver. Tobacco companies may retroactively appeal for a health/addiction risk labeling waiver for tobacco product(s) that were in existence prior to the passage of this resolution, but only if it can be proven that no harm to consumers is caused by the tobacco product(s).
