Each week we share some of the news that comes across our desk about upcoming legislation.. The week we have a lawsuit in the United States and legislation in Arizona, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Utah and Canada.
United States – Altria Group has sued federal health regulators over a portion of the looming FDA regulations that prohibits the use of the word mild for cigars. According to the civil complaint, Altria says the rule violated the first amendment that protects trademarks and brand names as well as the fifth amendment that prohibits taking private property for public use without compensation via Wall Street Journal – https://www.wsj.com/articles/altria-sues-u-s-to-keep-black-mild-cigar-name-1464282368
Arizona – It will be illegal to smoke or use tobacco in the town parks of Parker, who passed ordinance 3-2016 thanks to Teen Solultions of the La Paz You Tobacco Coalition who successfully lobbied the Town Council. The measure which goes into effect in June carries a $50 fine or 5 hours of community service via Parker Pioneer https://www.parkerpioneer.net/news/article_0a696704-21d1-11e6-92a4-8781dc512ce4.html
Massachusetts – In Cohasset the Board of Health has voted to raise the tobacco purchase age from 18 to 21 effective June 1, 2016 via Wicked Local – https://cohasset.wickedlocal.com/article/20160520/NEWS/160529565
New Jersey – The state assembly voted 62-7 to ban smoking at public parks and beaches, but allows towns to set aside up to 15% of the land for smokers. The Senate a short time later followed suit. The violators would be fined from $250 to $1,000 from first to third offense. This is the second time such a bill has passed with Governor Chris Christie refusing to sign the proposal into law and has hinted he will do the same again via NorthJersey.com https://www.northjersey.com/news/new-jersey-assembly-oks-bill-banning-smoking-at-public-beaches-parks-1.1606021
Utah – In Salt Lake City, the International airport is one of a few left that allow people the ability to smoke in designated rooms. Come the end of the year, all those rooms will be closed via KUTV – https://kutv.com/news/local/salt-lake-airport-to-shut-down-smoking-rooms
Canada – In Montreal a new law went into effect called the “Terrasse Smoking Band” that makes it not only illegal to smoke on a Terrace but also with in 9 meters (29.5 feet) from a window or door and is considered a criminal offense via MtlBlog –https://www.mtlblog.com/2016/05/everything-you-need-to-know-about-montreals-smoking-ban-on-terrasses/#
