Introduced Version
Senate Concurrent Resolution 39 History
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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 39
(By Senators
Prezioso, Palumbo, Unger, Plymale and Oliverio
)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study
how tobacco related taxes can be used for innovative research
and discovery needed to address West Virginia's tobacco
problem and increase the WVU Mary Babb Randolph Cancer
Center's competitiveness for National Cancer Institute
designation.
Whereas, West Virginia has the highest consumption of tobacco
in the United States and the fourth highest cancer mortality in the
nation, including 3,800 smoking-related deaths and over 9,000
residents diagnosed with cancer annually
; and
Whereas, It is estimated that a tobacco tax increase from West
Virginia's current levels to the national average for state excise
taxes will generate over $100 million in additional annual revenue
for several years. Every state that increases tobacco taxes has
experienced increases in revenue with simultaneous reductions in
tobacco use
. West Virginia spends $7 million on smoking prevention
and cessation, while less than one percent is used for cancer-
related research
. West Virginia can optimize effective tobacco
prevention while discovering and testing new therapies for those
already stricken by tobacco related cancers;
and
Whereas, Every state bordering West Virginia, except Kentucky,
has at least two National Cancer Institute designated centers.
Funding of efforts to further prevention discovery, diagnosis and
treatment discovery, and innovative tobacco cessation clinics will
increase the WVU Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center's competitiveness
for National Cancer Institute designation. The WVU Mary Babb
Randolph Cancer Center is the only nationally recognized tobacco
cessation research program in West Virginia
. National Cancer
Institute centers attract high quality researchers and clinicians.
Research grants and economic development
and investment in research
will expedite a National Cancer Institute designation assuring that
West Virginia will benefit from cancer prevention, improved health
outcomes and a lowered economic burden of health care for our
state
; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study how tobacco related taxes can be used for
innovative research and discovery needed to address West Virginia's
tobacco problem and increase the WVU Mary Babb Randolph Cancer
Center's competitiveness for National Cancer Institute designation;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2011, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.