House Bill No. 517 establishes the "Youth Cessation and Prevention Fund" as a special fund within the state treasury, aimed at addressing the prevention and cessation of tobacco product use among youth and adults. The bill mandates that after fulfilling constitutional obligations related to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund, the state treasurer will deposit 20% of the tax revenue generated from smokeless tobacco into this new fund. The funds will be allocated as follows: 40% to the Louisiana Cancer Research Center for statewide initiatives, 40% to the Louisiana Department of Health for tobacco-related disease programs, and 10% each to the Cancer Center of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center for smoking prevention and treatment programs.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to ensure that appropriations from the Youth Cessation and Prevention Fund do not replace or displace existing state general fund appropriations for the same purposes. The effective date of the bill is contingent upon the governor's signature or the expiration of the time for gubernatorial action. Amendments made during the legislative process have refined the effective date and clarified the treatment of floor stock for vapor products and electronic cigarettes, while also removing certain tax rate changes initially proposed.

Statutes affected:
HB517 Original: 47:841(F)
HB517 Engrossed: 47:841(F)