WHEREAS, more children alive today will die from tobacco use than from any single cause – including AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, murder, suicides, illegal drugs, and fires combined; and

WHEREAS, every day, another 3,000 American children start to smoke, nearly 1,000 of whom will die from lung cancer and other diseases caused by smoking; and

WHEREAS, the Surgeon General has concluded that nicotine is a powerfully addictive drug similar to cocaine and heroin; and

WHEREAS, over 430,000 Americans die each year from tobacco-related illnesses and millions more continue to suffer from lung cancer, emphysema, and heart disease caused by smoking; and

WHEREAS, Big Tobacco’s financial support of organizations, elected officials and community events is made possible by addicting, deceiving, disabling and killing millions of Americans; and

WHEREAS, Philip Morris documents reveal the true intent of its corporate giving is “to advance the company’s communications, public affairs, and government relations agendas” to prevent meaningful regulation of the tobacco industry;

THEREFORE, it will be the policy of this organization to neither accept nor solicit any financial contributions, sponsorships, or gifts from any tobacco company, executive, or activity that promotes tobacco use. In addition, we will not allow the sampling, distribution and promotion of tobacco products to occur at events we conduct.