News (Media Awareness Project) - US CA: Tobacco Law In East PA |
| Title: | US CA: Tobacco Law In East PA |
| Published On: | 1998-10-10 |
| Source: | San Jose Mercury News (CA) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-06 23:15:44 |
TOBACCO LAW IN EAST P.A.
Store Permits For Cigarettes Designed To Curb Teen Smoking
A campaign against teen smoking has begun rolling down the Peninsula,
with East Palo Alto becoming the latest city to crack down on stores
that sell cigarettes to minors.
The city council this week unanimously approved an ordinance requiring
stores selling cigarettes or other tobacco products to get a $25 city
permit.
A store caught selling cigarettes or tobacco to minors will lose its
permit for 30 days and pay a fine up to $100. The second violation
would bring a fine of up to $200 and a three-month permit suspension.
The third violation will result in permit suspension for a year and a
fine of up to $300.
The East Palo Alto law is identical to one approved by San Mateo
County in April for its unincorporated areas . The cities of Millbrae,
San Carlos, Colma and San Mateo also passed similar ordinances this
year.
Redwood City and Belmont will consider a permit next week, said Brian
Zamora, county director of public health.
Eric Stevenson, assistant to the city manager of East Palo Alto, said
about two dozen stores would be affected in the city. Permits will be
administered and enforced by San Mateo County Health Services officials.
``It gives us another enforcement mechanism. If you violate
consistently and long enough, you will lose your right to sell,'' said
council member Duane Bay.
Rogelio Madriz, manager of La Estrellita Market on University Avenue,
said he was not bothered by the new permit.
``On the contrary, I think it's something that will help our young
people because it will make it harder for them to buy cigarettes,'' he
said.
San Mateo County supervisors approved their permit law after reviewing
the results of studies showing high levels of teen smoking.
A third of San Mateo County's 11th-graders smoke -- nearly half of
those regularly -- according to surveys. A recent national study
showed tobacco use among teenagers jumped by nearly one-third -- from
27.5 percent to 36.4 percent -- in the past six years.
Checked-by: Patrick Henry
Store Permits For Cigarettes Designed To Curb Teen Smoking
A campaign against teen smoking has begun rolling down the Peninsula,
with East Palo Alto becoming the latest city to crack down on stores
that sell cigarettes to minors.
The city council this week unanimously approved an ordinance requiring
stores selling cigarettes or other tobacco products to get a $25 city
permit.
A store caught selling cigarettes or tobacco to minors will lose its
permit for 30 days and pay a fine up to $100. The second violation
would bring a fine of up to $200 and a three-month permit suspension.
The third violation will result in permit suspension for a year and a
fine of up to $300.
The East Palo Alto law is identical to one approved by San Mateo
County in April for its unincorporated areas . The cities of Millbrae,
San Carlos, Colma and San Mateo also passed similar ordinances this
year.
Redwood City and Belmont will consider a permit next week, said Brian
Zamora, county director of public health.
Eric Stevenson, assistant to the city manager of East Palo Alto, said
about two dozen stores would be affected in the city. Permits will be
administered and enforced by San Mateo County Health Services officials.
``It gives us another enforcement mechanism. If you violate
consistently and long enough, you will lose your right to sell,'' said
council member Duane Bay.
Rogelio Madriz, manager of La Estrellita Market on University Avenue,
said he was not bothered by the new permit.
``On the contrary, I think it's something that will help our young
people because it will make it harder for them to buy cigarettes,'' he
said.
San Mateo County supervisors approved their permit law after reviewing
the results of studies showing high levels of teen smoking.
A third of San Mateo County's 11th-graders smoke -- nearly half of
those regularly -- according to surveys. A recent national study
showed tobacco use among teenagers jumped by nearly one-third -- from
27.5 percent to 36.4 percent -- in the past six years.
Checked-by: Patrick Henry
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