By The most powerful and brutal approach yet to curb teen tobacco use at the state level is taking shape. California’s new bill bans all tobacco sales to residents born after January 1, 2007.
under Congressional Bill 935current smokers can continue to buy tobacco products, but people under the age of 16 today will not be able to buy tobacco.
That would essentially phase out tobacco use in California for an entirely new generation.
Instead of punishing tobacco consumers, the bill targets retailers. This will be done by including a series of financial penalties and license suspensions for retailers who violate the proposed law. Specifically, the measure would add Section 6 to Chapter 1 of Part 3 of the Health and Safety Act, which relates to the sale of tobacco.
However, this ban does not apply to the sale of cannabis. Legislators reasoned that nicotine’s impulsive nature was making young people addicted.
The bill was co-authored by Congressmen Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) and Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley). “This is not about taking away anyone’s current rights. It’s about not creating a new generation of nicotine addicts,” Connolly said. Said.
California has already taken steps to limit teens’ tobacco use as much as possible. In 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation banning the sale of most flavored tobacco products.
“This is the logical next step,” Connolly said. Said“The goal here is to try to really change the conversation across our state borders and move the needle forward in favor of public health.”
Public health officials applauded the bill and said the tobacco industry generally abused the health of America’s youth. .
“The solution is sustainable. We should not punish young people for the harm of industries built on the exploitation of people,” said Usama Mokedem, Director of National Policy for Public Health Advocates. .
The bill is likely to be challenged by Big Tobacco. The tobacco industry has fought hard against this type of legislation in the past.
CBS news report If the ban becomes law, the tobacco industry could sue to block implementation of the bill. Alternatively, the tobacco industry could challenge the ban on a ballot proposal and ask voters to stop the bill from taking effect. But Proposition 31 was overwhelmingly approved by voters and bans the sale of most flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes.
of U.S. Supreme Court rejects block California Flavored Tobacco Law.
AB 935 has been adjusted to reflect similar legislation in New Zealand. Last year, the country enacted a law banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after her January 1, 2009 date.
This is already happening in the US at the city level. Brookline, Massachusetts, has passed a law banning the sale of tobacco products within its city limits to anyone born after January 1, 2000. .
california The flavored tobacco ban went into effect on December 21, 2022, banning the sale of e-cigarettes and smoking products by retailers statewide. With flavor. A ballot challenge was launched by the tobacco industry after legislators and governors first approved the ban in 2020, but voters chose to keep the law in force.
