Legislative Update

Funding for Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Programs - Master Settlement Agreement

Well-funded tobacco prevention and cessation programs can save Pennsylvania billions of dollars in tobacco-related health care costs. In July 2010, the Pennsylvania State Legislature passed a state budget that continued to reduce funding to the tobacco prevention and cessation program by 45 percent. Due to this significant cut in funding, many programs can no longer serve their communities. The need to educate legislators about the importance of these life-saving programs is greater than ever. More about Master Settlement Agreement...

Other Tobacco Products Excise Tax

Pennsylvania is the only state in the U.S. that does not tax other (non-cigarette) tobacco products. An other tobacco products tax could raise significant revenue for the state of Pennsylvania. By taxing these products by a percentage of the manufacturer's price could generate an estimated $100 million. More about Other Tobacco Products...

Comprehensive Clean Indoor Air

The Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect on September 11, 2008. The law makes exceptions for a number of workplaces across the Commonwealth. Senate Bill 113, introduced by Senator Greenleaf (R-Montgomery), is comprehensive legislation that would eliminate many of the exceptions in the current law. Several bills have been introduced that would eliminate preemption, allowing local municipalities to pass clean indoor air laws stronger than the state law. Representative Dan Frankel (Allegheny) has introduced House Bill 58 that would repeal preemption from the Clean Indoor Air Act. House Bill 58 may be on the House Health and Human Services agenda in the near future. More about Clean Indoor Air...