2022 -- H 7792

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LC005109

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH -- RHODE

ISLAND TOBACCO CONTROL PROGRAM

     Introduced By: Representative Jacquelyn M. Baginski

     Date Introduced: March 03, 2022

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 23-1 of the General Laws entitled "Department of Health" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     23-1-59. Tobacco control program.

     (a) Purpose. To prevent tobacco related diseases and diminish tobacco use, the department

of health shall implement a tobacco control program that incorporates strategies aligned with the

federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Best Practices for Comprehensive

Tobacco Control Programs, such as health education, enforcement, and intervention and behavioral

change programs at the state level, in the community, in schools, and other non-school settings.

     (b) Progress reducing tobacco use. The department shall conduct statewide surveillance of

tobacco related behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and periodically evaluate the progress of the

department's tobacco control programs, in reducing tobacco use. Benchmark rates could include:

the adult smoking prevalence rate from the 2020 benchmark rate of thirteen and a half percent

(13.5%), youth tobacco use rate from the 2019 benchmark rate of thirty-three and one-third percent

(33.3%) and youth e-cigarette rate from the 2019 thirty and one-tenth percent (30.1%);

     (c) Information campaign. The department shall conduct an ongoing public awareness of

tobacco related diseases program, by developing an information campaign using a variety of media

approaches. Any media campaign funded under the tobacco control program shall stress the

importance of both preventing the initiation of tobacco use and quitting tobacco use and shall be

based on professional market research and surveys, necessary to determine the most effective

method of diminishing tobacco use among specified target population and/or demonstrated

effectiveness campaigns used in other states;

     (d) Program grant. The department shall award and administer grants for projects directed

at preventing and reducing the use of tobacco and tobacco related diseases. The purpose of the grant

program is to conduct health education and promotion activities and tobacco cessation and

enforcement programs, designed to reduce the number of people beginning to use tobacco,

continuing to use tobacco, or developing tobacco related diseases. In awarding grants, the

department shall select a variety of projects and grantees, consider the current availability of similar

services and the need to target resources to programs serving populations at high risk of starting

tobacco use or developing tobacco related diseases.

     (e) Evaluation. This department shall evaluate and assess efficacy for each component of

the Rhode Island tobacco control program. This evaluation shall be submitted annually to the

general assembly and the director of the department of health.

     (f)(1) Appropriation. Commencing with fiscal years beginning on and after July 1, 2022,

an amount equal to the greater of:

     (i) Five percent (5%) of the total revenues collected annually from chapter 20 of title 44

the ("cigarette and other tobacco products tax") and chapter 20.2 of title 44 the ("little cigar tax");

or

     (ii) Four million seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($4,750,000), with incremental

increases over time to meet the Centers for Disease Control recommended funding level for tobacco

control and prevention in Rhode Island;

     (2) The amounts referenced in this section shall be directed to the department of health to

fund tobacco control initiatives and implement evidence-based tobacco control programs that align

with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Best Practices for Comprehensive

Tobacco Control Programs and that include the goals of preventing youth initiation of tobacco

usage, reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, promotion of cessation. The funding shall be spent

in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Best Practices for

Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH -- RHODE

ISLAND TOBACCO CONTROL PROGRAM

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     This act would establish a tobacco control program to fund tobacco control initiatives and

implement evidence-based programs that align with the federal Centers for Disease Control and

best practices.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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