Governor Christie today vetoed legislation that would have raised the age for purchasing tobacco in New Jersey from 19 to 21.
But some are not happy about it.
Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, the lead Assembly sponsor of legislation that would have raised the legal age to purchase tobacco and electronic cigarette devices from 19 to 21, issued the following statement Monday on Gov. Christie’s pocket veto of the bill:
“Our motivations for this bill were pure and simple – to deter more young people from picking up a dangerous and expensive habit that can irrevocably alter their life.
“We could have made New Jersey a leader, becoming just the second state to raise the age to 21, a move that is supported by an overwhelming majority of the public. Instead, the governor is playing right into the hands of the tobacco industry, which prizes this key demographic.
“Unfortunately we may never truly know why the governor didn’t sign this bill because he chose to pocket veto it and run back to the campaign trail. Public health has clearly taken a back seat to politics.
“This is all the more unfortunate because statistics have shown that raising the legal purchasing age has led to a decrease in young smokers,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen).
Vainieri Huttle’s bill (A-3254) would have raised the minimum age for purchasing tobacco and electronic smoking devices from 19 to 21.
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Dumb Democrats. Statistics also prove that completely banning cigarettes would lower the amount of smokers by even more. The point is that is not the goverments position to tell us what to do. Over 18 is a legal adult and should be trusted to make his own decision.Stop telling us what to do! that’s not the govt’s job.
Like tobacco or not, it just would not be right to raise the age. An adult should be allowed to do everything legal
Smart move to veto. Our kids need a little outlet. Better this than something else.
by puting more restritions on people will make them want to try to do it more. Maybe 18 your not mature enough but 19 you should be fine
It won’t change anything, how many people do you know who started after 19 (or even 18). Everyone who smokes that I know started at 16/17.
It won’t change anything, how many people do you know who started after 19 (or even 18). Everyone who smokes that I know started at 16/17.
Which statistics are they talking about
At the age of 18 I Enlisted into the Army. At 19 I went to Viet Nam and was wounded during the Tet Offensive. I could not Vote or drink legally. Legally I could Smoke. When and if the Draft is ever implemented again will the law be changed to 21?