HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-14-0481City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution: R-14-0481
City Hall
3500 Pan American
Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 14-01148a Final Action Date: 12/11/2014
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING GOVERNOR RICK
SCOTTAND THE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORTA
BAN ON THE SALE AND MARKETING OF FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO
MINORS IN FLORIDA, AS STATED HEREIN; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS DESIGNATED
HEREIN.
WHEREAS, tobacco products are being marketed to children through cartoon -like advertising
characters and by offering fruit and candy flavors, much like cigarettes were once marketed to attain
new smokers; and
WHEREAS, research from the Harvard School of Public Health (published November 2005) found
that cigarette makers are targeting young smokers with new candy and liqueur -flavored brands that
masks the harsh and toxic properties found in tobacco smoke; and
WHEREAS, tobacco companies use youth -oriented colorful and stylish packaging, and exploit
adolescents' attraction to candy flavors with names such as "Mandarin Mint", "Winter Toffee" and
"Twista Chill"; and
WHEREAS, the Food and Drug Administration and public health advocates have warned these
flavorings are purposefully meant to appeal to and attract young people and are commonly referred to
as "training wheels" for traditional cigarettes; and
WHEREAS, studies show that adolescents can become addicted to nicotine after ingesting the
equivalent of 20 traditional cigarettes, the amount traditionally available in a single pack which can
lead young people into a lifetime of nicotine addiction; and
WHEREAS, in the United States, more than 90% of current adult smokers began smoking before
the age of 18 and the younger an individual is when he or she experiments with smoking, the more
likely he or she is to become a regular or daily smoker; and
WHEREAS, two-thirds of children who begin smoking in the sixth grade become regular adult
smokers, and almost half (46%) of those who initiate smoking in the eleventh grade become regular
adult smokers; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission urges the Florida Legislature to prohibit the sale, gifting,
possession or use of flavored tobacco to and by persons under the age of 18;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA:
City of Miami
Page 1 of 2 File Id: 14-01148a (Version: 1) Printed On: 1/22/2018
File Number: 14-01148a Enactment Number: R-14-0481
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted by
reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Miami City Commission urges Governor Rick Scott and the members of the Florida
Legislature to support a ban on the sale and marketing of flavored tobacco products to persons under
the age of eighteen.
Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Governor Rick Scott,
Senate President Andy Gardiner, the Speaker of the House Steve Crisafulli and the members of the
Florida Legislature.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of
the Mayor. {1}
Footnotes:
{1} Words and/or figures stricken through shall be deleted. Underscored words and/or figures shall be
added. The remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged. Asterisks indicate omitted
and unchanged material.
{2} This Ordinance shall become effective as specified herein unless vetoed by the Mayor within ten
(10) days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Ordinance, it shall
become effective immediately upon override of the veto by the city Commission.
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File Id: 14-01148a (Version: 1) Printed On: 1/22/2018