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SD 963

An Act to reduce lung cancer deaths

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jamie Eldridge and 1 co-sponsor

Integrates lung cancer screening counseling into the Quitline, requires retailer signage and in-store educational inserts to raise awareness, eligibility, and referrals.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 963

Summary: An Act to reduce lung cancer deaths (Senate Docket No. 963)

Status: House concurred. Introduced February 27, 2025. Referred to Public Health (Feb 27, 2025). House concurrence action recorded on Feb 27, 2025.

Purpose and intent

The bill aims to reduce lung cancer deaths in Massachusetts by integrating education, referral, and counseling about lung cancer screening into existing tobacco cessation efforts and retail environments. It ties screening information to the Massachusetts Quitline network and requires visible signage and educational materials at points of sale for tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

Key provisions

1) Counseling and referral through the Quitline (Chapter 111, new Section 245)

  • The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) must require the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program to provide counseling about lung cancer screening to individuals using the Massachusetts Quitline.
  • The Massachusetts Quitline must:
    • Evaluate the eligibility of all callers for lung cancer screening.
    • Provide information about available lung cancer screening services.
    • Report data to DPH on the number of callers referred to screening.

2) Signage in retail settings (Chapter 270, new subsection 7(d))

  • DPH must develop signage that provides referral information on lung cancer screening.
  • Signage must, at minimum, include:
    • Information on who is eligible for lung cancer screening.
    • The toll-free Quitline telephone number referenced in Section 245.
  • Retailers are required to conspicuously post this signage in their establishments.

3) Educational insert at point of sale (Chapter 111, new Section 25K 1/2)

  • DPH must develop an educational insert to accompany the sale of tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy.
  • The insert must include:
    • Information on the effectiveness of lung cancer screening.
    • Eligibility criteria for screening.
    • The toll-free Quitline numbers.
  • The educational insert must be provided at the point of sale to purchasers of tobacco products and NRT.

Who is affected

  • Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Massachusetts Quitline program.
  • Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program.
  • Retailers of tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) ( signage requirements).
  • General population of Quitline users and potential lung cancer screening-eligible individuals (through counseling and referrals).

Implementation and timeline considerations

  • The bill outlines programmatic changes and material development (counseling integration, signage, and educational inserts) but does not specify explicit start dates beyond enactment. Agencies would need to implement policies, create materials, and update operations accordingly.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Public health: Increased awareness and referral to lung cancer screening could lead to earlier detection and fewer lung cancer deaths.
  • Data: New reporting requirements on referrals to screening will provide baseline measures for evaluation.
  • Costs: Potential costs to DPH for program adjustments and to retailers for signage and educational inserts, though specifics are not provided in the text.

This summary captures the bill’s substantive provisions, targeted institutions, and the intended public health impact.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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