Foundation Purpose

Determining the appropriate recipients of moneys in the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Fund, which is receiving 10% of the annual amount received by the Commonwealth from the Master Settlement Agreement, and causing distribution of such moneys for the following purposes:

• Assist in financing efforts to discourage, eliminate, or prevent the use of tobacco products by minors through such means as educational and awareness programs on the health effects of tobacco use on minors;
• Assist enforcement of laws restricting the distribution of tobacco products to minors;
• Establish requirements that every recipient of money distributed from the Fund establish and maintain policies that restrict the use of tobacco products by minors;
• Evaluate the implementation and results of all efforts receiving support from the Foundation.

Twenty-three members will be appointed as follows:

• Speaker of the House of Delegates
• 2 state delegates, one representing rural interests and one urban

• 2 state senators, one representing rural interests and one urban

• 5 designated representatives of public health organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association of Virginia, Medical Society of Virginia, and the Virginia Thoracic Society;
• 4 health professionals in the fields of oncology, cardiology, pulmonary medicine, and pediatrics;
• 8 citizens, including two youths.
• Commissioner of the Department of Health or his designee
• Chairman of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board or his designee.

Tenure on the Foundation Board

Terms are 4 years each with the possibility of 2 consecutive terms. The legislation provides for filling of unexpired terms for citizen and legislative members.

Initial appointments only are staggered as follows:

• 2 years: 1 representative of a public health organization, 2 health professionals and 3 citizen members;
• 3 years: 2 representatives of a public health organization, 1 health professionals and 3 citizen members;
• 4 years: 2 representatives of a public health organization, 1 health professionals and 2 citizen members.

Foundation Board Leadership

The Governor appoints from the Board’s membership a chairman and a vice-chairman. A majority of members of the Foundation serving at any one time shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

The Governor shall appoint an executive director. The compensation of the executive director shall be determined by the Board, subject to approval by the Governor.