Proposed Tobacco Tax Legislation for 2008
(through February 15th, 2008):

The House of Delegates has 1219 bills introduced so far, including 629 carry-over bills from last session. The State Senate is considering 682 bills. Of the 1901 total bills introduced this session, about 340 bills
(18%) include health care topics.

These include: patient advocacy; hospice services and end-of-life decisions; organ and tissue donation and education; diabetes health treatment; medical practice issues; behavioral health initiatives; hospital topics; health care delivery systems; pharmaceutical availability; insurance, health care management; preventive health and wellness programs; and public safety.

TOBACCO-RELATED BILLS thru February 15th, 2008

SB 27 (Facemyer) Restricting minor children's physical access to
tobacco products. *same as HB 3075
SB 87 (Facemyer) Creates Transition Program for Tobacco Farmers.
SB 96 (Prezioso+) Prohibits smoking in a motor vehicle when minor is
present. *Same as HB 2803
SB 103 (Facemyer) Grants municipal courts jurisdiction over juveniles violating tobacco use laws.
SB 130 (Bailey+) Requires health insurance plans cover smoking cessation services.
SB 138 (Bailey+) Prohibits sale of candy or fruit-flavored cigarettes.
*Same as HB 2435
SB 181 (Prezioso+) Provides funding for programs discouraging tobacco use.
SB 209 (Foster+) Creating Smoke Free West Virginia Act.
SB 288 (Foster) Relating to tobacco usage restrictions. *Same as HB
4134
SB 591 (Prezioso+) Imposing Smoking Bans at Health Care Facilities *Same as HB 4417
HB 2435 (Brown+) Prohibits sale of candy or fruit-flavored cigarettes.
*Same as SB 138.
HB 2803 (Kessler) Prohibits smoking in a motor vehicle when a minor is present. *Same as SB 96 HB 2883 (Wysong+) Increasing the fines for sale of tobacco products to minors.
HB 3075 (Kominar) Restricting minor children's physical access to tobacco products.
HB 3123 (Carmichael) Increases tax on beer, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, etc., & eliminates food tax.
HB 4086 (Cowles+) Legislature to regulate smoking in fraternal organizations & private clubs. * HB 4134 (Palumbo+) Prohibiting the sale of less than twenty packaged cigarettes. *Same as SB 288 HB 4417 (Perdue+) Imposing Smoking Bans at Health Care Facilities *Same as SB 591