The bill mandates the Department of Health to implement a comprehensive tobacco control program aimed at reducing tobacco use and preventing tobacco-related diseases. It introduces a new section, 23-1-59, which outlines the program's components, including:

(a) Conducting statewide surveillance of tobacco-related behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes, and periodically evaluating the progress of the department's tobacco control programs in reducing tobacco use, with benchmark rates for adult smoking prevalence, youth tobacco use, and youth e-cigarette use.

(b) Developing an ongoing public awareness campaign about tobacco-related diseases using various media approaches, emphasizing the importance of preventing tobacco initiation and promoting cessation, based on professional market research.

(c) Awarding and administering grants for projects focused on preventing and reducing tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases, with a focus on health education, promotion activities, and targeting high-risk populations.

(d) Evaluating and assessing the efficacy of each component of the tobacco control program, with annual reports submitted to the General Assembly and the Director of the Department of Health.

(e) Establishing funding mechanisms for the tobacco control program starting with fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2026. Funding will consist of either five percent of total revenues collected from tobacco taxes or a minimum of $3.2 million, with a five percent annual increase to meet CDC recommendations. This funding will support initiatives aimed at preventing youth tobacco initiation, reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, and promoting cessation efforts, ensuring effective resource allocation to high-risk populations.

The act will take effect upon passage.