Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Tobacco topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate advances renewable-license bill to penalize sale of tobacco to minors
Summary
Senate advanced substitute SB 39 to third reading after sponsor said it would create renewable retail licenses, stepwise fines ($300, $750, $1,000) and license suspension for repeated violations; sponsor said the measure was negotiated with the food industry and will help meet federal requirements tied to substance-abuse funding.
The Utah Senate on Feb. 3 advanced substitute Senate Bill 39, a measure aimed at reducing teenage smoking by imposing a renewable tobacco retail license with graduated penalties and the ability for the health department to suspend licenses after repeated violations.
Senator Montgomery, sponsor of the substitute, said the measure was developed over two years with input from the Utah food industry and named Jim Olsen as a collaborator. Under the substitute, retailers would obtain a renewable license; enforcement would include stepwise fines — $300 for the first offense, $750 for the second, $1,000 for the third — and after a fourth offense within a 12-month period the health department could pull the license and bar renewal for one year.
Montgomery told the Senate the change would shift some enforcement and accountability from clerks alone to retailers and would better protect youth. She also cited a federal requirement that states show progress in reducing youth smoking or risk losing substance-abuse funds; a fiscal note distributed to the Senate estimated violator revenues at approximately $96,000 annually, with $91,000 to local health departments and $5,000 retained by the Department of Health for hearing expenses.
On a roll call the chair reported 26 ayes, zero nays and three absences; the bill was placed on the third-reading calendar.
