CT HB06730

Repeals and replaces Section 4-28f of the general statutes, effective July 1, 2023, to refocus the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund on reducing tobacco and nicotine use through evidence-based prevention, education, and cessation programs.

Expands trust fund scope to cover all tobacco and nicotine products including combustible, noncombustible, electronic, and synthetic products, and requires programs based on five evidence-based practice categories: state and community interventions, communication methods, cessation interventions, surveillance and evaluation, and infrastructure/administration.

Board of trustees (17 members) must recommend annual fund disbursements prioritizing comprehensive tobacco and nicotine control programs for youth prevention, adult and youth smoking cessation, secondhand smoke elimination, and addressing tobacco-related disparities.

Establishes 30-day review period for joint standing committees on public health and appropriations to approve, modify, or reject board recommendations; if committees don't act within 30 days, recommendations are deemed approved.

Requires board to submit annual activity reports and biennial reports detailing fund accounting, disbursements, program performance evaluations, and measurable outcome criteria used to select programs receiving funds.