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Cleanup bill would restore penalties for youth tobacco possession; public‑health groups urge alternatives
Summary
HB 13 15 would reinstate penalties for youth possession of tobacco/alternative nicotine products that were inadvertently removed from the statute; tobacco‑control advocates opposed criminal penalties for minors and urged funding for prevention and cessation.
Liquor Enforcement told the committee HB 13 15 is a technical clean‑up to restore penalties that were accidentally removed when alternative nicotine products were added to the tobacco statutes two years ago. The department said the original intent was to have limited penalties (maximum $100 fine or up to 20 hours community service for certain infractions) and that removing the language led to unintended consequences in enforcement.
Public‑health advocates (American Heart Association) opposed reinstating punitive penalties for youth, arguing fines criminalize young people rather than providing cessation services and prevention. They urged restoring and funding the tobacco prevention program and expanding compliance checks and retailer enforcement. Committee members asked about evidence for deterrence approaches such as price (excise taxes) and compliance checks; witnesses cited national literature showing price increases reduce youth uptake.
