Juneau -- The Alaska Senate Wednesday passed House Bill 37, sponsored by Representative Norman Rokeberg.

"Some 500 Alaskans die every year from smoking-related illnesses, making smoking the leading cause of death in Alaska," Rokeberg said. "We need to lend a hand to people who want to quit and prevent people - kids, especially - from starting this nasty and deadly habit."

HB 37 adds smoking education and cessation programs to the list of public health and social services programs administered by the Department of Health and Social Services. The program was started last year with a $1.4 million appropriation from the State's share of the multiple-state tobacco settlement funds. HB 37 stipulates that the program funds be administered by one or more private organizations.

"HB 37 is intended to minimize government involvement and growth by funding this program through private entities," Rokeberg said. "The stronger we make this program, the more lives we can save and the more we will reduce the costs to individuals and the State for smoking-related illnesses."

The comprehensive tobacco control program outlined in HB 37 is based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control. It is similar to programs in California and Massachusetts which have yielded remarkable results: cigarette consumption is down 40 percent in California and 31 percent in Massachusetts.

HB 37 also strengthens tobacco control enforcement. It prohibits the sale of cigarettes in quantities of fewer than 20 - known as "loosies" - which are not in their original packages and are not properly labeled for sale in the United States.

HB 37 passed the Senate 16-4. Notice of reconsideration was filed.

Sponsor Statement for HB 37