California Proposed Law Bans Tobacco Sales to Young Adults

Feb.17.2023
California Proposed Law Bans Tobacco Sales to Young Adults
California lawmaker proposes bill to ban tobacco purchases for those born after 2007, following New Zealand's similar law.

A lawmaker in California has introduced a bill to prohibit the purchase of electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products for anyone born after January 1, 2007. The proposed law, if enacted, would mean that eventually no one in California would be legally allowed to purchase any form of tobacco product, including cigars, Swedish snus, and e-cigarettes.


California Assembly Member Damon Connolly introduced the "AB 935 Bill" on February 14th, which is a phased ban that means residents under the age of 16 years old will never be able to legally purchase tobacco products in the state. Repeat offenders will face fines of up to $6,000 and will entail the revocation of their tobacco license.


As a lawyer, Connolly also served as the Deputy Mayor of San Rafael and held other positions of responsibility.


There is a precedent for this type of legislation, but it does not yet exist in the United States. This move will emulate a law in New Zealand which prohibits people born in 2009 or later from purchasing tobacco products.



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