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Ch. 17 2000 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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WHEREAS, Certain demographic groups remain at higher risk for tobacco use
and often bear a disproportionate share of the human and economic cost of using
tobacco products; and
WHEREAS, Tobacco is a leading risk factor in the development of many cancers,
including cancer of the cervix, pancreas, kidney, bladder, esophagus, oral cavity and
pharynx, larynx, and lung; and
WHEREAS, No single factor determines patterns of tobacco use: the patterns
result from a complex interaction of multiple factors, such as socioeconomic status,
cultural characteristics, stress, biological events, targeted marketing, tobacco pricing,
and varying capacities of local communities to launch and sustain comprehensive
tobacco control activities; and
WHEREAS, Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Maryland and one of
every five deaths in Maryland is due to cancer; and
WHEREAS, Each year approximately 24,000 Marylanders are diagnosed with
cancer and more than 10,000 Marylanders die of cancer; and
WHEREAS, Maryland's cancer incidence and mortality rates are consistently
higher than national rates; and
WHEREAS, The burden of cancer differs among racial and ethnic groups, with
cancer incidence and mortality rates higher for African Americans and certain other
minority groups; and
WHEREAS, There are areas and neighborhoods of cancer clusters; and
WHEREAS, Studies show that financial barriers to cancer screening, early
detection services, and treatment are significant factors in the disparities relating to
cancer incidence and mortality; and
WHEREAS, Any framework for conquering cancer requires a commitment of
resources to many related areas, including education, prevention and early detection,
treatment and supportive care, research, and surveillance and evaluation; and
WHEREAS, The General Assembly recognizes that the State's receipt of large
sums of money under the Master Settlement Agreement (executed by the State and
participating tobacco manufacturers) over a long period of time creates a unique
opportunity for the State to address problems relating to tobacco use and cancer in a
logical, planned, and committed fashion; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of the General Assembly that the State coordinate its
use of the Cigarette Restitution Fund in a logical, planned, and committed fashion so
as to create a lasting legacy of public health initiatives that result in a reduction of
both tobacco use and morbidity and mortality rates for cancer and tobacco-related
diseases in the State and otherwise benefit the health and welfare of the State's
residents; now, therefore,
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
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- 190 -
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