The committee shall be advisory to the department, the University of California, and State Department of Education for the following purposes:

(a)  Evaluation of research, school- and community-based programs funded under this article as necessary in order to assess the overall effectiveness of efforts made by the programs to reduce the use of tobacco products. In order to evaluate tobacco education, research, and cessation programs, the committee shall seek the cooperation and assistance of the department, the State Department of Education, county offices of education, local lead agencies, administrative representatives, target populations, school officials, and researchers. A principal measurement of effectiveness shall be reduction of smoking rates among a given target population.

(b)  Facilitation of programs directed at reducing and eliminating tobacco use that are operated jointly by more than one agency or entity. The committee shall propose strategies for the coordination of proposed programs administered by the department, the University of California, and the State Department of Education in order to avoid the duplication of services and to maximize the public benefit of the programs.

(c)  Make recommendations to the department, the University of California, and the State Department of Education regarding the most appropriate criteria for the selection of, standards of the operation of, and the types of programs to be funded under this article.

(d)  Reporting to the Legislature on or before January 1 of each year on the number and amount of tobacco education programs funded by the Health Education Account, created by Section 30122 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, the amount of money in the account, any moneys previously appropriated to the department, the University of California, and the State Department of Education but unspent by the departments, a description and assessment of all programs funded under this article, and recommendations for any necessary policy changes or improvements for tobacco education programs.

(e)  Ensuring that the most current research findings regarding tobacco use prevention are applied in designing the tobacco education programs administered by the department and the State Department of Education. The department and the State Department of Education shall apply the most current findings and recommendations of research including research funded by the Research Account of the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Surtax Fund created by Section 30122 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

(f)  Based on the results of programs supported by this article and any other proven methodologies available to the committee, produce a comprehensive master plan for implementing tobacco education programs throughout this state for the prevention and cessation of tobacco use. The master plan shall include implementation strategies for each target population specified in Section 104360 for programs throughout this state. The Tobacco Education and Research Oversight Committee shall submit the master plan to the Legislature biennially. The master plan and its revisions shall include recommendations on administrative arrangements, funding priorities, integration and coordination of approaches by the department, the University of California, and the State Department of Education and their support systems, as well as progress reports relating to each target population. The master plan shall establish a goal of achieving a 75-percent reduction in tobacco consumption in California by the year 1999.

(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 745, Sec. 147. Effective October 12, 2001.)