SF 1836

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 10/01/2015 02:49pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; appropriating money to evaluate and develop strategies to
address menthol-flavored cigarette usage in the African-American community
and to develop strategies to address cigarette usage and the harm in that
community; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin MENTHOL CIGARETTE STUDY IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN
COMMUNITY.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of health, in consultation with representatives of the
African-American community and other interested stakeholders, shall evaluate the current
attitudes and beliefs related to menthol-flavored cigarette usage among African-Americans
in Minnesota and make recommendations based on this evaluation on ways to reduce the
disproportionately high usage of cigarettes by African-Americans, especially the use of
menthol-flavored cigarettes, as well as the disproportionate harm tobacco use causes
in that community. The commissioner shall engage members of the African-American
community and community-based organizations in conducting the evaluation and creating
recommendations on how to address tobacco use within the African-American community.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall submit the results of the evaluation and the
recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house
of representatives health and human services policy and finance committees by January
15, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $200,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2016 from the general fund to the
commissioner of health to conduct the community-based evaluation and recommendations.
This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end