Connecticut Attorney General,
Richard Blumenthal
Law in Plain Language: Connecticut Anti-Tobacco Laws
When the state recently did a tobacco sales to minors survey sending underage youth into businesses to attempt to buy tobacco products -- the results were alarming. Fifty-nine percent of the time underage youth could buy tobacco products over the counter and 90 percent of the time underage youth could buy tobacco products in vending machines. With tobacco companies luring our children into addiction at the rate of 3,000 per day, we cannot be complacent in our efforts to help keep tobacco products out of the hands of our children.
Studies indicate that the most destructive time to begin smoking is as a teenager. More than 80 percent of all smokers begin to smoke by age 18 -- a time when they are not legally able to buy tobacco products. Last year, at my urging, the General Assembly took new steps to keep tobacco products out of the hands of children.
The law is phasing in a ban on vending machines, except those located in adult-only establishments, and stiffening penalties for those who sell tobacco products to our children.. Under the new law that took effect last summer, vending machines for tobacco products can no longer be located in lobbies, vestibules and restrooms. As of May 1 of 1997, vending machines may only be located in businesses with liquor licenses or placed in an adult-only area. That will keep cigarette vending machines out of many supermarkets and convenience stores. Finally, on July 1, 1998, vending machines may be located only in adult-only areas.
Based on the survey results, the prohibition of vending machines in areas where children can gain access should cut off the easiest avenue for children to access tobacco products. In addition, the new law establishes civil penalties for businesses that do sell tobacco products to our children. As of July 1 of this year, businesses that sell to minors will face:
- A $250 civil fine for the first violation.
- A $500 fine for the second violation in an 18-month period.
- A $500 fine plus a suspension of the license to sell tobacco products for a third violation within an 18-month period.
- Workers that sell tobacco products to minors also will be fined, up to $100 for a first violation and up to $150 for subsequent violations.
I know that many Connecticut businesses take great steps to ensure that their community's youth are not sold tobacco products. In the last two years, I have spoken to hundreds of retailers at conferences to train business owners and their workers how to identify underage buyers. It is my hope that these new laws will provide further incentives for business owners to train their workers and take the steps necessary to ensure that no one under 18 years of age is sold tobacco products.
Connecticut's new law is just one way we are working to keep tobacco products out of the hands of our children. Others include:
- New regulations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, approved last year by President Clinton, will take effect in 1997 to limit advertising aimed at our children and the availability of tobacco products.
- Connecticut's lawsuit against the tobacco industry also seeks to fundamentally alter the advertising that tobacco companies now target at our children.
- Many public schools are taking steps locally to discourage their students from using tobacco products, including stiffer penalties and making programs available to quit smoking.
- And our young people around the state are taking the lead in encouraging their friends not to take up a habit that could one day kill them.
Working together, we can keep tobacco products out of the hands of young people who otherwise may be lured into a lifelong addiction.
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