California

Laws

2016

Cal. Rev. & Tax Code § 30130.50 - Adopted November 9, 2016

This statute, enacted by voter initiative as Proposition 56, defines key terms related to the taxation of cigarettes and tobacco products, including those associated with oral cancer risk. The findings and declarations of the Act emphasize that tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death in California, contributing significantly to the incidence of oral cancer and other oral diseases. It highlights that smoking causes 75% of oral cancer cases in the U.S. and that the risk of oral cancer from smokeless tobacco is 50 times greater than for non-users. The statute supports increased taxation on tobacco products to fund healthcare services and research, including programs specifically targeting prevention, early detection, and treatment of oral cancer and other tobacco-related diseases.

2024

Cal. Bus & Prof. Code § 1753.5 - Chaptered September 22, 2024

This statute authorizes registered dental assistants in extended functions, licensed on or after January 1, 2010, to perform oral cancer screenings under the supervision of a licensed dentist. These screenings are part of broader oral health assessments, which may include evaluations of intraoral and extraoral soft tissues to identify oral lesions. Screenings may occur in dental offices as well as school-based or community health project settings, and must be performed according to the supervising dentist’s authorization. This statute has been renewed several times.