(a) The West Virginia Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Task Force is created for the purpose of recommending and monitoring the establishment and management of programs that are found to be effective in the reduction of tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products use by all state citizens, with a strong focus on the prevention of children and young adults use of tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products.
(b) The task force shall have the following members:
(1) The Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health or his or her designee, who shall serve as chair;
(2) The Superintendent of the Department of Education or his or her designee;
(3) Ten members to be appointed by the Governor:
(A) A representative of a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to the elimination of cancer;
(B) A representative of a nonprofit national organization that funds cardiovascular medical research;
(C) A dentist, licensed pursuant to §30-4-1et seq., with an expertise in oral health;
(D) A physician, licensed pursuant to either §30-3-1et seq.or §30-14-1et seq.with expertise in health impacts associated with tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products consumption;
(E) A representative of a national voluntary health organization whose mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy, and research;
(F) A representative who is certified from one of the programs accredited by the Council for Tobacco Treatment Training Programs or has received a National Certificate in Tobacco Treatment Practice, who has advanced education in evidence-based tobacco treatment competencies, skills, and practices;
(G) A representative from a national youth tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products prevention organization;
(H) A representative from the West Virginia Prevention First Network within the West Virginia Bureau for Behavioral Health; and
(I) Two citizen members that through professional or medical experience or advocacy are committed to work and advocate for cessation of tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products consumption in all forms in the state.
(c) The task force shall meet quarterly at the call of the chair to study, monitor, and recommend funding and initiation of programs that reduce tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products consumption in West Virginia, and to initiate studies and processes to provide the most efficient and effective use of the funds dedicated for this purpose. The task force shall include a variety of persons in the health care field, including individuals certified from one of the programs accredited by the Council for Tobacco Treatment Training Programs or received a National Certificate in Tobacco Treatment Practice, advocates, and citizens, with the intention of the Legislature to create a dynamic and innovative group to focus, monitor, and facilitate state resources towards this goal.
(d) The Director of the Division of Tobacco Prevention shall attend each task force meeting and shall provide staff support services for the task force. The task force shall monitor the Division of Tobacco Prevention’s programs and make recommendations to the division on expenditures and programs which are being administered by that office. The task force shall report annually to the Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Resources Accountability by December 1st, which shall include at a minimum, the following:
(1) An assessment of each program administered by the Division of Tobacco Prevention towards reducing tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products consumption and include an overview of its budget for the prior year and how state moneys and any other funding or grants received by the office are being expended that year;
(2) Review and analysis the types of tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products consumption practices in the state and identify emerging trends related to tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products delivery devices and related activities impacting tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products use, with particular emphasis on youth consumption trends and practices; and,
(3) Recommend for legislation or implementation of legislation, public policies; and funding of programs that can further facilitate a reduction in tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products usage in our state.