Each week we share some of the news that comes across our desk about upcoming legislation.. This week we have stories from Arkansas, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New Massachusetts, Missouri, New York and Oregon.
United States – The U.S. Department of Transportation has authorized six United States airlines to begin air routes to nine cities in Cuba, and ticket sales will begin as early as next week via Cigar Aficionado https://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/us-authorizes-air-routes-to-cuba-18836
Arkansas – The Helena-West Helena City Council passed a measure by a 9-0 vote to raise the tobacco purchase age from 18 to 21. The move makes them the first city in the state to enact the change via KATV https://katv.com/news/local/arkansas-city-changes-legal-age-to-buy-tobacco-from-18-to-21
California – In Nevada City the first reading of a new ordinance that will expand the definition of tobacco licensing will occur. Additionally the city is looking to limit the amount of tobacco licenses granted to four via The Union https://www.theunion.com/news/22352298-113/nevada-city-council-to-talk-tobacoo-retailers-licensing#
Idaho – The city of Lewiston has drafted an ordinance that will ban smoking in many public places via KLEW-TV https://klewtv.com/news/local/lewiston-city-council-draft-ordinance-to-ban-smoking-in-public-places
Illinois – Beginning on August 1, 2016 the village of Oak Park will see the tobacco purchase age raised to 21 years old and also requires those who sell to tobacco to be over 21 as well via Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/oak-park/news/ct-oak-park-tobacco-21-tl-0609-20160607-story.html
Indiana – In White County, The White County Board of Commissioners voted in favor of banning smoking on County-owned property. Violators would be fined $300 via Monticello Herald Journal https://www.newsbug.info/monticello_herald_journal/smoking-ban-approved-for-county-properties/article_6a7b5c46-2c45-11e6-b3f9-5b8c4033c385.html
Kentucky – The Marion-Crittenden County Park Board has begun the process to ban smoking at parks. While no ordinance is in place yet, no smoking signs have been put up via Kentucky New Era https://www.kentuckynewera.com/news/ap/article_8421a31c-2b82-11e6-965a-d71bf75ac2b4.html
Massachusetts – The list of places in the state keeps growing and you can add Belchertown as another that you need to be 21 to purchase tobacco beginning January 1, 2017. However, this June it will become illegal to smoke on town-owned land and beaches via MassLive https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/06/belchertown_bans_smoking_on_to.html
Missouri – The Leawood City Council began discussing this week raising the tobacco purchase age to 21 and is including fines for those under age who are caught with tobacco via Shawnee Mission Post https://shawneemissionpost.com/2016/06/07/leawood-moves-toward-joining-tobacco-21-initiative-raising-age-for-cigarette-purchase-51250
New York – The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a smoking ban this week that prohibits smoking in County parks via Star News Online https://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20160606/NEWS/160609766?tc=ar
Oregon – Lane County this week passed a proposal that raises the age for purchasing and using tobacco products to 21. The biggest city in the county is Eugene via The Register Guard https://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/34450944-75/lane-county-board-endorses-raising-tobacco-buying-age-to-21.html.csp
