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Action on Smoking and Health
A National Legal-Action Antismoking Organization Entirely Supported by Tax-Deductible Contributions
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Bill to Raise CA's Legal Age to Purchase Tobacco Approved by Senate Committee [03/26-4]
Excerpts from: Panel OKs raising smoking age to 21
The Modesto Bee [03/25/04]
California would be the first state in the nation to require tobacco buyers to
be at least 21 under legislation that cleared its first legislative hurdle on
Wednesday.
Backers of the bill contend that the number of adult smokers could be reduced dramatically by preventing impressionable teens from smoking or chewing tobacco. But opponents say that unlike teen alcohol consumption -- which can lead to drunk driving and put others in jeo-pardy -- smoking doesn't present a direct, immediate public health risk. Current law prohibits the sale of tobacco to those younger than 18.
Recruiting new teen smokers is key to the tobacco industry's survival, said state Sen. Joe Dunn, D-Santa Ana. "If you're not smoking by the age of 18, the likelihood of you being a lifelong customer of that industry is small," Dunn told the Senate committee.
Dunn's measure was approved by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on a 7-2 vote.
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