BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1719
79R4511 MSE-D By: Zedler (Van de Putte)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
A 2001 report by the United States surgeon general states that smokers are more likely than non-smokers to deliver babies that are born premature, experience low birth weight, are stillborn, or die because of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). More than 49,000 babies are born prematurely each year in Texas — one baby in eight, or 13 percent of all babies born. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death.
Premature births are responsible for nearly half of all infant hospitalization charges. In 2001, hospital charges for prematurely-related-infant-stays totaled $13.6 billion. Premature births cost nearly 60 times more than uncomplicated births.
The current point-of-sale health warnings for tobacco products excludes information about smoking while pregnant and the subsequent risk of preterm birth. The purpose of this bill is to educate pregnant women about the dangers of smoking while pregnant.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the comptroller of public accounts in SECTION 2 of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 161.084(b), Health and Safety Code, to make modifications to the required specific language for the point-of-sale health warning for tobacco products.
SECTION 2. Requires the comptroller of public accounts to adopt rules as necessary to implement Section 161.084, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act, not later than the 90th day after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2005.