Position: Oppose
The bill is an ill-conceived attempt by the tobacco industry to weaken and preempt local tobacco control efforts. As introduced, the bill:
- Takes an additional $650,000 from the tobacco prevention, education and
cessation fund to manage the registry, and doesn’t require a single penny from
tobacco retailers. - Does not propose comprehensive enforcement that would enable the state or local
communities to suspend or revoke a license as a penalty for repeat offenders caught
selling tobacco to minors. - Would further extend a financial penalty on a local community if they want to pass
their own policy to require a license, fee, or tax on tobacco products.