Interesting legislative news posted today from the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, Inc. (NATO)*. Below are some highlights of activity on state tobacco bills that pertain to the brothers & sisters of the leaf.
Legislative Action on State Tobacco Bills Recent action that has taken place on tobacco-related bills pending in state legislatures:
California: Senate Bill 977, which prohibits use of a tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, within 250 feet of a youth sports event and allows local jurisdictions to adopt stricter measures, passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 16, 2016.
Newly Introduced State Tobacco Bills The following bills were recently introduced in state legislatures:
New Jersey: Assembly Bill 3710 prohibits persons under age 19 from smoking in public and purchasing tobacco products.
West Virginia: Senate Bill 1005A and House Bill 103A, which increase the cigarette tax by $.45 per pack, the tobacco products excise tax by 5%, and assesses an e-liquid tax of 7.5 cents per liquid milliliter, was introduced and referred to the Senate Finance Committee on May 16, 2016.
*NATO is a national trade association organized to enhance the common business interests of all tobacco retailers and to monitor and assist members in responding to tobacco-related legislation on the local, state and federal levels.