Rep. Lambeth files bill in North Carolina House to reduce youth tobacco use

A new bill filed by State Rep. Donny Lambeth in the North Carolina House seeks to establish a fund within the Department of Health and Human Services to reduce tobacco use among youth and others, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 561 on March 27 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘2025 Youth End Nicotine Dependence Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill, titled the “Youth End Nicotine Dependence Act,” establishes a Tobacco Use Prevention Fund within the Department of Health and Human Services, aimed at reducing tobacco use among youth and people of childbearing age, particularly concerning new products like electronic cigarettes. Funded by annual appropriations from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, it allocates $17 million per year for various initiatives, including community-based education, media campaigns on health risks, increasing military readiness through tobacco cessation, providing grants for tobacco-free college campuses, and monitoring tobacco use among at-risk populations. The Department may use up to 10% for administrative purposes and is required to report annually on fund expenditures. The act takes effect July 1, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Lambeth proposed the most bills (41) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Lambeth graduated from High Point University in 1972 with a BA.

Lambeth, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2013 to represent the state’s 75th House district, replacing previous state representative Bill McGee.