New Jersey lawmakers could raise smoking ageHot Buzz

January 11, 2016 11:02
New Jersey lawmakers could raise smoking age},{New Jersey lawmakers could raise smoking age

(Image source from: New Jersey lawmakers could raise smoking age})

Lawmakers of New Jersey are gearing up to increase the legal age to purchase cigarettes as well as other tobacco products to 21. The bill is expected to be  presented before the governor  during the week.  When the law comes into force,  New Jersey will become the second state in the country which has raised the minimum age to use tobacco products.

The voting regarding the approval of the bill, has been done on Thursday by the state Assembly committee.  The bill is expected to be presented in the assembly on Monday. Earlier, the measures of the bill has been approved by the Senate in June, 2014.

At present, the legal age for smoking in New Jersey is 19. Hawaii has raised the legal smoking age from 19 to 21 on New Year’s eve and became the first state in the country with such provisions. New York and some other cities have made 21 as the legal age for smoking. Still, it is indistinct, whether Chris Christie, governor of the New Jersey will support the proposal. He is a Republican presidential nomination in the elections.

According to the proposed bill, a fine up to $ 1,000 will be imposed on retailers and store owners, if they sell tobacco products, cigarettes, smoking products and electronic cigarettes to people younger than 21. Their retail licenses could also be suspended  under the provisions, but there are no provisions in the bill,  which, impose any penalty on underage  smokers. Karen Blumenfeld, executive director of the anti-tobacco nonprofit Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy, said that, “It’s been proven time and time again that when tobacco access is reduced, then smoking initiation rates also decline as well as smoking.”

Sal Risalvato, an industry advocate and executive director of the New Jersey Gasoline, C-Store and Automotive Association, said that, the bill is a “feel-good legislation.” “The legal age is 19 right now, yet there are plenty of people under the age of 19 who smoke. So where are they getting their cigarettes?” he added.“It actually is a huge impact on our members, significant economic loss,” Mary Ellen Peppard of the New Jersey Food Council, said.

Nandini

If you enjoyed this Post, Sign up for Newsletter

(And get daily dose of political, entertainment news straight to your inbox)

Rate This Article
(0 votes)