(1) There is created the Mississippi Tobacco Control Advisory Council, which shall consist of thirteen (13) members. The thirteen (13) members of the advisory council shall consist of the following:

(a) Four (4) members appointed by the Governor, with one (1) member from a list of three (3) physicians recommended by the Mississippi State Medical Association, one (1) member from a list of three (3) individuals recommended by the Mississippi Chapter of the American Heart Association, and two (2) individuals who are not affiliated with the tobacco industry who possess knowledge, skill, and prior experience in scientifically proven smoking prevention, reduction and cessation programs, health-care services or preventive health measures;

(b) Two (2) members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, with one (1) member from a list of three (3) nurses recommended by the Mississippi Nurses’ Association, and one (1) member from a list of three (3) individuals recommended by the Mississippi Chapter of the American Lung Association;

(c) Two (2) members approved by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with one (1) member from a list of three (3) social workers recommended by the Mississippi Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and one (1) member from a list of three (3) individuals recommended by the Mississippi Chapter of the American Cancer Society;

(d) The Attorney General, or his or her designee;

(e) The State Superintendent of Public Education, or his or her designee;

(f) The Vice-Chancellor of Health Affairs of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, or his or her designee;

(g) The Dean of the College of Health at the University of Southern Mississippi, or his or her designee; and

(h) The Administrator of the School of Health Sciences of the College of Public Service at Jackson State University, or his or her designee.

(2) The Lieutenant Governor shall appoint one (1) member of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall appoint one (1) Representative to attend meetings of the Tobacco Control Advisory Council.

(3) For those members that are required to be appointed from lists of individuals recommended by certain nominating groups, if none of the recommended names are acceptable to the appointing official, then the nominating group shall submit another list of three (3) different individuals until an acceptable individual is submitted to the appointing official.

(4) The members who are state officials or university officials shall serve as members for as long as they hold the designated office or university position. The appointed members shall serve for terms that are concurrent with the terms of the appointing officials, or until their successors are appointed and qualified.

(5) Any vacancy in an appointed member position shall be filled within thirty (30) days of the vacancy by the original appointing official, and the individual appointed to fill the vacancy shall meet the same qualifications as required for the former member.

(6) The initial appointments to the advisory council shall be made not later than forty-five (45) days after March 30, 2007, and the first meeting of the advisory council shall be held within sixty (60) days after March 30, 2007, at a time, date and location specified by the State Board of Health.

(7) The advisory council shall annually elect a chairman from among its members. The advisory council shall meet at least quarterly. A quorum for meetings of the advisory council shall be a majority of the voting members of the advisory council. The members of the advisory council shall receive the per diem compensation provided under Section 25-3-69 plus expense reimbursement as provided under Section 25-3-41 for attending meetings and necessary business of the advisory council.

(8) The Mississippi Tobacco Advisory Council shall advise and make recommendations to the State Board of Health regarding rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this program.