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California raises smoking age to 21

May 5, 2016

cigsThe legal smoking age in California is increasing from 18 to 21 following Gov. Jerry Brown’s decision to sign a package of bills into law on Wednesday. The same goes for the legal vaping age, as e-cigarettes will now be regulated like traditional cigarettes. [Sac Bee]

California joins Hawaii as the only two states to prohibit the sale of tobacco to everyone under the age of 21. The new vaporizing regulations will prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in public and in other places where smoking is prohibited.

Other bills Brown signed into law will ban smoking in hotel lobbies and bars; warehouse facilities; and the offices of self-employed workers who bring clients into their workplace. Brown also signed a bill that will increase the licensing fees for selling and distributing tobacco products.

The governor vetoed one bill in the package of smoking regulations. That bill would have allowed cities and counties to impose taxes on tobacco products. Brown said in a signing statement he was reluctant to approve the measure because of all the taxes being proposed on the 2016 ballot.

Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-Azusa), who authored the smoking age bill, said his measure would save lives and health care costs by eliminating easy access to tobacco during the teenage years.

Opponents of raising the smoking age say the new law will encourage illegal cigarette sales. Advocates of e-cigarette use say the state of California is penalizing smokers who are trying to quit by switching to vaping.

Most of the bills Brown signed, including the new smoking age law and the e-cigarette regulations, will take effect on June 9. The increase in licensing fees will take effect in 2017.


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If you don’t like trump you can always vote for the matriarch of the global Clinton crime syndicate.


I have to laugh. The people dancing in the streets when Obama was elected are worse off than ever. Wealthy people who hate Obama have seen their net worth double. Keep believing these smoke and mirror candidates will make life better for you.


How’s that worked out so far?


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What’s the legal age to smoke medical marijuana?


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I’m no fan of helicopter government, but SOMETHING needs to be done to convince our young people to not take up the smoking habit. The results can be devastating…

Smoking is a leading cause of cancer and death from cancer. It causes cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas, stomach, cervix, colon, and rectum, as well as acute myeloid leukemia.

Smoking causes heart disease, stroke, aortic aneurysm (a balloon-like bulge in an artery in the chest), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (chronic bronchitis and emphysema), diabetes, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, age-related macular degeneration, and cataracts, and worsens asthma symptoms in adults. Smokers are at higher risk of developing pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other airway infections. In addition, smoking causes inflammation and impairs immune function.

For those of us who have had to live through the death of a loved one due to cancer, it’s horrific.


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Gosh…I just love the Nazi leftist’s total control over our lives! Think, speak, and do as you are told serfs. Otherwise…it’s coitons for you.


I know a place like this. North Korea.


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So an 18 year old can serve in the military but he/she cannot legally buy cigarettes?!


And a 12 yr old middle schooler can legally get birth control pills and abortions without parental consent?!


I trust an 18 yr old’s decisions more than a 12 yr old’s !


Our state is so messed up.


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We really should raise the minimum age for military service to 21, as well. Also the minimum voting age should be 21, as well. Heck, I’d like that last one to be 41, but I’m a fuddy-duddy.


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It exempts 18 year old’s in the military. No need to worry.


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I’m still looking through the state and federal constitution and I don’t see anywhere where it states that the governor has any right at all what so ever to take this action but I’m sure no one cares. Except of course the target…..the LEGAL tobacco companies and sales outlets. If the government wants to outlaw a product because it is harmful to the health of people than do it don’t just use it to enrich state coffers while people get sick and die. That is crooked. Mr Moonbeam….. If you want to run your administration like a tyrant then go all the way don’t just pussyfoot around.


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I don’t smoke and understand the concern to protect others from second hand smoke, but the same restrictions for the e-cigarettes seems to be a bit of a stretch that chips away at civil liberties.I don’t believe it’s a health hazard for the user or anyone nearby, I guess that the image of someone doing an activity that mimics smoking is the issue. Where do you draw the line? It’s the home of the free, the gene pool will work itself out without anymore government restrictions.


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“The increase in licensing fees will take effect…” not a new tax?


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Licensing fees are a tax, they are a tax on business.

The cost is passed along to the consumer.

New licensing fees are the darling of government agencies.

Business owners struggle to keep up with new waves of reporting deadlines and of course, fee$.


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Hello McFly…

Who do you think Pay this fee?

The Consumer….economics 101 here.


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Yep Economic’s 101. The tax is meant as a dis-incentive to smoke for the individual, while also helping society internalize the costs (repay) that are associated with ills that are caused by a horrific product. …..at least that is what I remember from my Economic’s class….maybe it was Econ 202…


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So they can smoke Medical Pot….But evil Cigarettes they can’t?

What next…you have to be 21 to drink a sugary soda…buy a Double double?

I got an idea…let’s make it so you have to be 21 yrs old vote…because with Trump running surely that is more dangerous to their health than Cigs…ha ha ha


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