HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 198 FILED ON: 1/12/2015
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1943
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michael J. Finn
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to study the use of harm reduction.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
Michael J. Finn | 6th Hampden | 1/12/2015 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 198 FILED ON: 1/12/2015
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1943
By Mr. Finn of West Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1943) of Michael J. Finn for legislation to study the use of harm reduction as a strategy for reducing cigarette smoking. Public Health. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3397 OF 2013-2014.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)
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An Act to study the use of harm reduction.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, the Department of Public Health is hereby directed and authorized to conduct a comprehensive study evaluating and making recommendations regarding the use of harm reduction as a strategy for reducing cigarette smoking in the Commonwealth and thereby reducing death, disease and health care costs associated with the use of cigarettes. Said study may include, but not be limited to, strategies to reduce the harm associated with smoking for individuals who will not otherwise abstain, reduce the harm associated with a number of risk behaviors and recognize any potential benefits in encouraging cigarette smokers who will not cease smoking altogether to switch to tobacco products that pose less serious health risks. The study shall recognize the growing data from scientific studies showing that the health risks associated with smokeless tobacco products are significantly lower than the risks associated with cigarettes.
The Department of Public Health shall submit a written report, including recommendations and drafts of any legislation, to the clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives and the Joint Committee on Public Health within six months of the effective date of this act.