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Senate Resolution

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A resolution recognizing November 2008 as "Lung Cancer

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Awareness Month" in Florida.

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     WHEREAS, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in

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the State of Florida, and

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     WHEREAS, nearly 12,490 Floridians will die from lung cancer

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in 2008, and more than an additional 17,360 Floridians will be

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diagnosed with the disease, and

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     WHEREAS, cigarette smoking and other tobacco use is the

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leading cause of lung cancer, with more than 87 percent of all

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lung cancer attributed to smoking tobacco products, and

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     WHEREAS, early detection of lung cancer is very difficult

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and costly, and has not yet been proven to improve survival

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rates, and

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     WHEREAS, the 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is only 15

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percent, and

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     WHEREAS, smoking-related diseases such as lung cancer cost

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Florida $6.32 billion in directly related health costs and

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another $6.47 billion in productivity losses caused by smoking,

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and

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     WHEREAS, the best-known way to prevent lung cancer, the

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premature deaths associated with lung cancer, and the costs

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related to this disease is to prevent youth from starting to use

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tobacco and to help current smokers to quit, and

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     WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society, in partnership with

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the Florida Department of Health, helps adult and youth smokers

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to stop smoking through the proven cessation support of the toll-

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free Quit-For-Life-Line, 1-877-U-CAN-NOW, and

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     WHEREAS, the Florida Division of the American Cancer Society

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is committed to preventing the use of and addiction to tobacco in

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young people through all scientifically proven methods, including

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the measures detailed in the Centers for Disease Control and

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Prevention's recommendations for a fully comprehensive statewide

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youth tobacco prevention and cessation program, NOW, THEREFORE,

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Be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:

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     That the Florida Senate recognizes the month of November

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2008 as "Lung Cancer Awareness Month" in Florida and urges all

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Floridians to understand the risks associated with lung cancer,

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to take preventive steps to minimize those risks, and to join the

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American Cancer Society in promoting better health and lung-

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cancer prevention through the cessation of current smoking and

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the prevention of future tobacco use.