SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Lawmakers in the California State Senate have introduced a series of five tobacco-related bills that include tax and minimum-age increases, electronic-cigarette regulation and legislation to prohibit smokeless tobacco at Golden State ballparks among other goals.
- SB 591, introduced by State Senator Richard Pan (D), will raise the tobacco tax by $2 per pack. The additional money would go to youth smoking-prevention programs as well as expanding health access to low-income families and individuals. It would also fund established research programs to fight smoking-related diseases.
- AB 1396, introduced by State Sen. Rob Bonta (D), a companion piece to SB 591, will help ensure an infusion of funds into the Medi-Cal program from a tobacco tax to achieve the ultimate goal of improving the health of people who suffer from tobacco-related illnesses.
- SB 140, introduced by State Sen. Mark Leno (D), will regulate electronic cigarettes and ensure that the products are subject to similar laws as tobacco products and fall under California’s smoke-free laws. California’s Smoke Free Act prohibits smoking at workplaces, schools, daycares, restaurants, bars, hospitals and on public transportation. E-cigarettes, however, do not fall under this existing law and are largely unregulated, he said.
- SB 151, introduced by State Sen. Roger Hernandez (D), seeks to raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21.
- AB 768, introduced by State Sen. Tony Thurmond (D), would prohibit smokeless tobacco at California ballparks.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.