Ever since Hawaii became the first state to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21; numerous states have looked to follow suit. Thankfully all have failed, but Illinois State Senate John Mulroe, D-Chicago hasn’t let that stop him. The senator introduced SB3011 which puts the state in the running to become the second state. If the measure passes it would carry with it fines starting at $50 and 25 hours of community service for those who sell […]
Each week we list all the legislation in one easy to find place. This week brings stories from California, Kansas, Mississippi, New York and Oregon. California – You can add Palo Alto to the list of cities looking to pursue a smoking ban with the City Council approving the pursuit of a measure to raise the tobacco age to 21. A hearing is scheduled in the coming weeks. Kansas – You can now add Iola, […]
A new bill in my home state of New Hampshire has been proposed by Representative John Hunt (R-Cheshire) that seeks to redefine “tobacco products”. The bill, HB 1159 would change the definition of tobacco. The new definition would read as follows: 1 Definitions; Tobacco Products. Amend RSA 175:1, LXIV-d to read as follows: LXIV-d. “Tobacco products” means any product containing tobacco including, but not limited to, cigarettes, [loose] smoking tobacco, [and] cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipe tobacco, […]
You can add the state of Tennessee to the growing movement to raise the tobacco age to 21 across the nation. While Hawaii has become the only state to raise the age, many states have proposed legislation to join suit. The new proposal comes from State Senator Jim Tracy (R-16) who has proposed SB 1973. The bill saw its first reading this week and passed its first consideration. Should it pass into law it would […]
Things could get ugly in the state of New Jersey if S284 gets passed. The bill sponsored by Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex) and Loretta Weinber (D-Bergen) calls for the raising of the OTP tax which includes cigars from 30% to 90% of the wholesale price. Meaning a cigar with the MSRP of $10.00 that currently costs $11.50 in the state would go up to $14.50 per cigar. In addition to hurting the consumer, the bill would be crippling […]
Yesterday we reported on a proposal in the state of Nebraska that would raise the tax on cigars by 55% and today the state is back at it again. Ken Schilz, a Republican from the 47th district has filed LB 727 which calls for a 1% tax on tobacco sales that occur at any retailer who possesses a cigar shop license under the Nebraska Liquor Control Act. The tax would be collected like any other sales tax, and […]
You can add Iowa to the list of states that wants tor raise the minimum tobacco purchase age from 18 to 21-years-old. The new measure was introduced last week by Senator Herman C. Quirmbach, a Democrat from the 23rd district of Iowa. The measure which was introduced by Quirmbach is SF 2016 and prohibits the sale of tobacco products to those under 21. In addition to it being illegal for retailers to sell to those under 21, the […]
In the state of Utah the legal age to purchase tobacco is 19 but that could change as bill has been proposed by Rep. Kraig Powell, R-Heber, and Sen. Brian Shiozawa, R-Salt Lake City that would raise set the new age at 21. The bill, H.B. 157 would forbid the sale or distribution of cigarettes, tobacco products or e-cigarettes to anyone under 21. As the bill is currently written a first violation would result in a penalty up […]
The following information was pulled from CSPNet.com where the Connivence Store and Fuel News posts blog updates on legislation that could affect the tobacco industry. According to the article the following tobacco related bills are pending in either the U.S. Senete or House of Representatives. The President’s proposed budget includes a 94 cents per pack increase on the federal cigarette tax and a proportionate tax increase for OTP products such as cigars. If the budget remains […]
To Combat Smoking, Lethal Health Risks from Tobacco, Blumenthal, Durbin, Reed, Boxer Re-Introduce Legislation for Tobacco Enforcement Reforms While the IPCPR does not expect this measure to pass it is something we must remain vigilant on. Below is the Press Release from Senator Blumenthal’s office. (Washington, DC) – Today, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) re-introduced the Tobacco Tax and Enforcement Reform Act (TTERA) to address illegal […]