Should legal age to buy cigarettes in N.J. be raised to 21? (Susan K. Livio, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
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On December 10, 2015 NJ.com reports that public health advocates will urge members of the state Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee on Thursday at a hearing to approve a bill (A3254) that would raise the legal age to buy cigarettes in New Jersey from 19 to 21 to protect their health.
The bill’s chief opponent, the Gasoline-Convenience Store-Automotive Association, wants lawmakers to realize why the state would be giving up if they pass this “feel good” legislation. However, Karen Blumenfeld, executive director of Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy, the bill’s chief proponent said she will testify about the medical evidence that shows the how 90 percent of all tobacco users start before the age of 21.
She noted that 15 towns have passed “tobacco 21″ laws in a little over a year.
Read the full article on NJ.com.