According to a recent report by Yahoo News, the Kentucky House of Representatives has introduced a bill aimed at combating underage smoking. The proposed legislation requires e-cigarette stores to obtain a license from the state government and increases penalties for retailers found selling tobacco products to minors.
Congressman Mark Hart, the principal sponsor of the bill known as House Bill 142, stated in an interview on Monday that current laws fail to protect young people in Kentucky from the health risks of smoking. He emphasized the necessity of implementing a deterrent approach to prevention.
Retired US Marine Corps Sergeant Brian Melton has expressed concern over the alarming issue of teenagers using e-cigarettes at Pendleton County High School, where he used to teach. Melton revealed that some students have gone to the extent of blending substances such as marijuana (THC, Delta-8) into e-cigarette products. What's more worrisome is that these miniature e-cigarette devices are difficult for teachers to detect, leading to their rapid proliferation within the school premises.
In the United States, the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco and e-cigarette products is 21 years old. Retailers are required to check government-issued photo identification for individuals who appear to be under 21. However, this law is frequently overlooked.
According to a report last month by The Pioneering Leader newspaper, the Kentucky State Alcohol Control Department has lodged charges against various stores across the state at least 883 times for selling tobacco products to minors, between November 2021 and August 2023. The department conducted undercover operations using underage buyers, resulting in penalties imposed on at least 114 businesses more than once or twice during this 21-month period.
Hart's bill requires e-cigarette retailers to obtain a license from the Alcohol Control Department for each store. If found selling to minors for the third time, the license will be revoked. Additionally, the bill aims to increase civil fines for retailers selling e-cigarettes or tobacco products to minors, with a maximum fine of $2000 for the first offense and up to $3000 for subsequent violations. Lastly, the bill proposes penalties for minors attempting to purchase or who have already purchased e-cigarettes or tobacco products.
Alicia Whatley, the Policy and Advocacy Director for the child rights advocacy organization "Kentucky Youth Advocates," has expressed that Hart's bill is a positive first step in eliminating retailers' exploitation of loopholes to sell tobacco products to minors. However, she also acknowledged that there is room for improvement in the bill, such as her desire for tobacco retailers to also operate under licensing regulations similar to e-cigarette retailers.
Hart expressed in the interview that he expects some amendments to be proposed and made to the bill before it is presented for review by the House committee in the coming weeks. He plans to discuss the issue of tobacco retail licenses with state agricultural officials, but he is concerned about facing too many opponents within a single piece of legislation.
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