California set to raise smoking age to 21

[Anti Federalist]

Anybody want to take bets on the first state to outright prohibit tobacco?

You'll see it inside of five years.



California May Set The Highest Minimum Smoking Age In The Country

Posted: 01/30/2015 5:45 pm EST Updated: 3 hours ago

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/0...n_6582478.html

California could soon have the highest minimum smoking age in the country if a bill introduced Thursday makes its way through the legislature.

Introduced by state Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-Azusa), Senate Bill 151 would raise the legal smoking age in the Golden State from 18 to 21 in hopes of curbing tobacco use among children and young adults.

“Tobacco companies know that people are more likely to become addicted to smoking if they start at a young age,” Hernandez said in a statement Friday. “We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines while big tobacco markets to our kids and gets another generation of young people hooked on a product that will ultimately kill them.”

According to the American Lung Association, 36,000 California kids start smoking each year.

Given the state’s history at the forefront of anti-tobacco legislation, the bill could have serious implications if it passes. California has been considered the pioneer of smoking bans ever since San Luis Obispo became the first city in the world to ban all public indoor smoking in 1990; by 1998, the state had banned smoking in almost all enclosed workplace situations, including bars and casinos. Today, more than 22,000 municipalities, covering 81 percent of the U.S. population, have 100 percent smoke-free laws applying to non-hospitality workplaces, restaurants, bars or a combination of the three, according to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation.

While the tobacco industry generally opposes any anti-smoking initiatives, tobacco giant Altria declined to take a stance at this point in the legislative process.

“We believe states and localities should defer to this regulatory process and give the FDA, the [Institute of Medicine] and others the time to review the science and evidence, before enacting different minimum age laws,” Altria spokesman David Sutton told the Los Angeles Times. “That being said, we review each legislative proposal on its own merits and we will do so on this new piece of legislation.”

Hernandez’s office notes that California would be the first state to raise the minimum smoking age to 21, as previous efforts in New Jersey, Utah, Colorado and Maryland have all failed.

[DamianTV]

Why not raise minimum drinking age to 35 as well? That will help prevent kids from becoming binge drinkers too.

And as always, still okay to die for your country at 18.

When human beings become the products manufactured and sold, laws like these will be commonplace as a form of Quality Assurance for the said Human Livestock.

[Southron]

I also have a feeling that some states will try to ban tobacco in the near future. They have been slowly making it impossible to smoke anywhere except your own house, and even that seems in jeopardy. Makes me feel like lighting up some tobacco right now.

[DamianTV]

I also have a feeling that some states will try to ban tobacco in the near future. They have been slowly making it impossible to smoke anywhere except your own house, and even that seems in jeopardy. Makes me feel like lighting up some tobacco right now.

I'd suggest doing yourself a favor, especially if you live in California, BUY BUY BUY.

Doesnt matter if you smoke or not, buy the $#@! out of Tobacco. As soon as it is illegal, you can SELL because the risk just determined the price, and once it becomes illegal, due to that risk, you will more than make your money back. With over 100 million people in the Untied States that do not have a job, this may very well be the only way we can make enough money to survive in a system of perpetual dependancy.

[invisible]

“Tobacco companies know that people are more likely to become addicted to smoking if they start at a young age,” Hernandez said in a statement Friday. “We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines while big tobacco markets to our kids and gets another generation of young people hooked on a product that will ultimately kill them.”

I'd really like to see him justify this statement. Let's see, first they went after tv advertising in the 1960's. Then it was characters in children's tv programs, cartoons, and family type programs smoking in the 1980's. Then it was billboards, Joe Camel, and candy cigarettes in the 1990's. How exactly does he think that tobacco companies are marketing to kids these days?

[oyarde]

California sucks .You heard it here first .

[Danke]

California sucks .You heard it here first .

No more smoking the peace pipe.

[GunnyFreedom]

I'd suggest doing yourself a favor, especially if you live in California, BUY BUY BUY.

Doesnt matter if you smoke or not, buy the $#@! out of Tobacco. As soon as it is illegal, you can SELL because the risk just determined the price, and once it becomes illegal, due to that risk, you will more than make your money back. With over 100 million people in the Untied States that do not have a job, this may very well be the only way we can make enough money to survive in a system of perpetual dependancy.

Tobacco goes stale. If you do this, buy pouches of tobacco with a cigarette machine. Poke a couple pin-holes in the pouch and then vacuum pack the pouches with oxygen absorbers. This will keep it from going stale too fast. It will try out no matter what you do. It's a good idea, mind you, but it's easier said than done.

[oyarde]

No more smoking the peace pipe.

Still can at my place , smoking , drinking , is all allowed , even the Mrs does not complain .LOL

[Ronin Truth]

If you can avoid the smoking habit until at least age 19, your odds of ever starting decrease very significantly, on average.

[Keith and stuff]

This is nothing new. Just ask people in NJ (19), NYC (21), Hawaii County HI (21), AK (19), AL (19), and UT (19).

[rg17]

How about instead legalize all drugs and Cannabis.