MN HF2646

Creates a public health improvement account in the general fund to be funded by cigarette tax revenue and used for public health improvement programs.

Increases cigarette tax rates from 24 to 88.5 mills per cigarette (light cigarettes) and 48 to 177 mills per cigarette (heavy cigarettes), effective July 1, 2012.

Increases tobacco product tax rate from 35 percent to 47.5 percent of wholesale sales price, effective July 1, 2012.

Establishes the Minnesota Healthy Communities Program to provide grants for health impact assessments of community projects and policies, with the commissioner of health providing technical assistance and oversight.

Appropriates $41,500,000 in fiscal year 2013 for the statewide health improvement program and $500,000 for the Minnesota Healthy Communities Program from the public health improvement account.