S.C. Code Ann. tit. 44, ch. 128

in effect

S.C. Code Ann. § 44-128-10 Short title.

This chapter may be cited as the "South Carolina Youth Smoking Prevention Act".

S.C. Code Ann. § 44-128-20 Youth Smoking Prevention Plan.

(A) The Department of Health and Environmental Control shall develop and implement a Youth Smoking Prevention Plan for the purpose of preventing and reducing cigarette smoking by minors. (B) The Youth Smoking Prevention Plan must address prevention, cessation, and control of smoking by minors and may include but is not limited to: (1) media campaigns; (2) school based youth programs; (3) community based youth programs; (4) business, community, and school partnerships; (5) programs focusing on the enforcement and administration of state minor related tobacco laws, including retailer education; (6) surveillance and evaluations; (7) chronic disease and health-related programs. (C)(1) To assist in carrying out the purposes of the plan, the department may award youth smoking prevention grants to local agencies, organizations, and entities based on criteria developed by the department. (2) As a condition for the receipt of funds under this chapter, a grantee shall agree to file a report with the advisory commission, as to the following: (a) amount received as a grant and the expenditures made with the proceeds of the grant; (b) a description of the program offered and the number of youths who participated in the program; and (c) specific elements of the program meeting the criteria set forth in the state plan. (D) The state plan further shall provide for a grant for an annual statewide school-based survey to measure cigarette use and behaviors towards cigarette use by individuals in grades 6-12. This survey shall: (1) involve a statistically valid sample of the individuals in each grade from sixth through twelfth; (2) not include any individual who is eighteen years of age or older; and (3) be made available to the public, along with the resulting date, excluding respondent identities and respondent-identifiable date.

S.C. Code Ann. § 44-128-30 Annual reports.

The department shall report annually by January first of each year to the Governor, the Senate Finance Committee, and the House Ways and Means Committee on the activities and effectiveness of the Youth Smoking Prevention Plan.

S.C. Code Ann. § 44-128-40 Funding.

Responsibilities of the department under this chapter including, but not limited to, funding grants authorized pursuant to Section 44-128-20(C) must be funded from proceeds received by the State in the settlement agreement and related documents, between the State and leading United States tobacco manufacturers dated November 23, 1998.

S.C. Code Ann. § 44-128-50 South Carolina Youth Smoking Prevention Advisory Commission.

(A) There is established the South Carolina Youth Smoking Prevention Advisory Commission to advise the department in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the State Youth Smoking Plan. (B) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8-13-770, the membership of the advisory commission is as follows: (1) two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives from the membership of the House of Representatives; (2) two members appointed by the President of the Senate from the membership of the Senate; and (3) eleven members appointed by the Governor as follows: (a) one representative of the Department of Health and Environmental Control; (b) one representative of the Office of Substance Use Services; (c) three health professionals; (d) two youths between the ages of twelve and eighteen; and (e) five citizens of the State with knowledge, competence, experience, or interest in youth smoking prevention, or other relevant background including, but not limited to, youth education, public health, social science, and business expertise. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, certain references in the S.C. Code to the State Department of Mental Health, South Carolina Mental Health Commission, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Commission, Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and other related terms were changed to reflect the restructuring of these agencies into component offices under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, pursuant to 2025 Act No. 3, SECTION 18. Effect of Amendment 2019 Act No. 1, SECTION 56, in (B)(2), substituted "President of the Senate" for "President Pro Tempore of the Senate".

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t44c128.phpFetched: 10/17/2026