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Ch. 18 2000 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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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 and tobacco-related
diseases 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 University of Maryland, Baltimore, the University of Maryland
School of Medicine, and the University of Maryland Medical System Corporation,
acting together, and The Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine,
acting together, are the States only two academic health centers and serve the health
needs of the entire State; 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 cancer 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:
Article - Health - General
1-101.
(a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated.
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