Bill > H2527

This bill establishes a dedicated "Tobacco Use Reduction and Prevention Fund" to be used for combating tobacco use and its negative health consequences. All revenue generated from tobacco taxes, as well as funds received from Master Settlement Agreements or Consent Decrees with tobacco product manufacturers, will be directed into this fund. A minimum of three percent of the money in the fund must be set aside annually and used exclusively for tobacco prevention and reduction efforts, specifically to increase existing funding for these programs, not replace it. The Department of Public Health, guided by recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and an oversight committee, will allocate these funds to programs aimed at preventing tobacco use, reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, and addressing health disparities related to tobacco. This oversight committee, composed of nine members with relevant expertise appointed by legislative leaders and the Governor, will develop a strategic plan for fund allocation, monitor its use, and report annually on tobacco use, its harms, and the effectiveness of the funded programs. The Department of Public Health is also authorized to create rules to implement these provisions.