2026 -- H 8346

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LC006181

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

     Introduced By: Representatives Cortvriend, Tanzi, and Diaz

     Date Introduced: March 25, 2026

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Purpose. To prevent tobacco-related diseases and diminish tobacco use, the

department of health shall implement a tobacco control program that incorporates evidence-based

best practices for tobacco prevention and cessation.

     SECTION 2. 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) The department of health (“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 2024 benchmark rate of nine and nine-tenths percent

(9.9%), youth tobacco use rate from the 2023 benchmark rate of seventeen and one-third percent

(17.3%) and youth e-cigarette rate of sixteen and one-half percent (16.5%).

     (b) 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.

     (c) 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.

     (d) The 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.

     (e)(1) Commencing with fiscal years beginning on and after July 1, 2026, funding for

subsection (e)(2) of this section shall consist of an amount equal to the greater of:

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

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

     (ii) Three million two hundred thousand dollars ($3,200,000), with an additional five

percent (5%) increase year-over-year to meet the Centers for Disease Control recommended

funding level for tobacco control and prevention in Rhode Island.

     (2) The amounts referenced in this subsection shall be directed to the tobacco control

program at the department of health to fund tobacco control initiatives and implement evidence-

based programs for tobacco prevention and cessation and that align with the goals of preventing

youth initiation of tobacco usage, reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, and promoting

cessation. The funding shall be spent in accordance with evidence-based best practices for tobacco

prevention and cessation.

     SECTION 3. 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

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     This act would require the department of health to implement a tobacco control program

that incorporates evidence-based best practices for tobacco prevention and cessation to prevent

tobacco-related diseases and diminish tobacco use in the state.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC006181

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