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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
06/02/2024 10:10 AM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20130&cosponId=12803
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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: May 15, 2013 10:55 AM
From: Representative Kevin J. Boyle and Rep. Mario M. Scavello
To: All House members
Subject: Penalties for Minors Possessing Tobacco
 
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In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that will prohibit minors from possessing tobacco products in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Specifically, my legislation will amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses), § 6305 (Sale of Tobacco), of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes for the purpose of establishing a summary offense for minors who possess tobacco products. Under my legislation, the penalties would be as follows:
  • A first offense is subject to a written warning by law enforcement;
  • A second offense is subject to conducting up to 75 hours of community service;
  • A third offense is subject to completion of a tobacco use prevention and cessation program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health; and
  • A fourth and subsequent offense is subject to a 30-day suspension of driving privileges or, if the minor is unlicensed, a fine of up to $100.

According to Tobacco-Free Kids, an organization that advocates for public policies that prevent kids from smoking, tobacco companies spend upwards of $396 million to market their products and influence our children in Pennsylvania. Because of these egregious marketing campaigns, 80 percent of tobacco users start smoking and using tobacco products before the age of 18. In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that each day, 3,500 kids in the U.S. try their first cigarette, and nearly 1,000 additional kids under 18 years of age become new, daily smokers. That is nearly 400,000 new underage daily smokers in the U.S. each year.

Current Pennsylvania law already prohibits minors from purchasing tobacco products. It is now time to penalize minors who illegally get their hands on tobacco products by prohibiting the possession of such items. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.