Researcher: ND Page 1 3/29/23
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 6488
AN ACT CONCERNING CIGARETTES, TOBACCO PRODUCTS,
ELECTRONIC NICOTINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND VAPOR
PRODUCTS.
SUMMARY
Starting with FY 24, this bill increases, from $12 million to $22.7
million, annual Tobacco Settlement Fund disbursements to the Tobacco
and Health Trust Fund. As under current law, any remaining moneys
in the Tobacco Settlement Fund must be disbursed to the General Fund.
The bill also requires the Department of Mental Health and Addiction
Services commissioner, in collaboration with the consumer protection,
public health, and revenue services commissioners, to convene a
working group to evaluate the licensure fees, penalties, and taxes
related to the distribution and sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, e-
cigarettes, and vapor products.
The working group must advise the above departments of its
recommendations for increasing the fees, penalties, and taxes to
discourage the use of these products. The commissioners must also
jointly report the recommendations to the Public Health and Finance,
Revenue and Bonding Committees by January 1, 2024.
Under the bill, the commissioners select the working group members,
who must include representatives of at least two organizations that
administer tobacco cessation programs in Connecticut.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2023, except the working group provisions
are effective upon passage.
BACKGROUND
Tobacco and Health Trust Fund 2023HB-06488-R000306-BA.DOCX
Researcher: ND Page 2 3/29/23
By law, the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund must create a continuing
significant source of funds to (1) support and encourage programs to
reduce tobacco abuse through prevention, education, and cessation; (2)
support and encourage program development for substance abuse
reduction; and (3) develop a plan to meet the state’s unmet physical and
mental health needs. The trust fund is within the Office of Legislative
Management for administrative purposes only.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Health Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 34 Nay 3 (03/20/2023)