Each week we share some of the news that comes across our desk about upcoming legislation.. This week we have stories from Alaska, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maine and Massachusetts.
Alaska – The state Senate passed Senate Bill 1, also known as the “Take It Outside Act” which was sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna. The bill which is now making its way through the House of Representatives would restrict smoking in the workplace statewide via Peninsula Clarion – https://peninsulaclarion.com/news/2016-04-09/tobacco-bill-passes-senate-with-mixed-reviews
In Ketchikan, The Gateway Borough Assembly will allow voters to decided if a borough wide tobacco tax will be put in place. The tax would be 50% of the wholesale cost of cigars and would be in addition to the state tax. Voters head to the polls on October 4th via KRBD – https://www.krbd.org/2016/04/04/tobacco-tax-passes-will-go-to-voters/
California – A bill that would end smoking in California’s state parks is to be considered by lawmakers via Orange County Register – https://www.ocregister.com/articles/smoking-711615-state-beach.html
Connecticut – A bill to raise the tobacco age in the state has died in the Public Health Committee via Hartford Courant – https://www.courant.com/politics/capitol-watch/hc-capitol-five-things-0411-story.html
Louisiana – Some good news out of Baton Rouge as a measure that would have banned smoking in all businesses including bars and casinos was voted down in a 6-6 tie via WBRZ https://www.wbrz.com/news/metro-council-kills-smoking-ban-proposal/
Maine – In Portland the City Council Health and Human Services Committee is considering raising the tobacco purchase age from 18 to 21 via Portland Press Herald https://www.pressherald.com/2016/04/11/portland-considers-raising-age-for-buying-tobacco-to-21/
Massachusetts – The Essex Board of Health is considering whether the town should join with 100 other Massachusetts communities that have raised the legal age for purchasing tobacco products to 21 via Gloucester Times https://www.gloucestertimes.com/news/local_news/essex-looks-to-set-smoking-age-at/article_29d1451b-8e0a-53f3-952e-15c13ea527d4.html
