California governor Jerry Brown has already raised the legal age in buying tobacco used for smoking, chewing, vaping and dipping from age 18 to 21 years old. This bill is considered as the latest law passed in the state of California.
The change in the previous bill was signed by California Governor Jerry Brown. The harmful and fatal effects of nicotine addiction has been the main cause of the renewed bill. Experts believe that this will definitely deter adolescents from nicotine's harmful effects as the Institute of Medicine found out that most smokers begin using tobacco before turning 19 years old as per Star Tribune.
As reported by the Mercury News, Democrats, doctors and other anti-smoking advocates who have struggled to break the industry's grip on the Capitol have applauded and praised the new bill. Experts believe that the year 2016 is the year when the state finally took its stand on these predatory industry.
On the other hand, Republican lawmakers as well as veteran organizations in California opposed the bill and said that people that are old enough to die for their country are also old enough to use tobacco.
The state of Hawaii was the first to impose such law. The country has currently over 100 states that also followed the same bill. According to Market Watch, there are also US lawmakers in 10 other states that want to reconsider the same bill like New York, Kentucky, Oregon, and Illinois.
Other bills that are up for the Governor's signature are the regulation of electronic cigarettes, local tobacco taxes, and establishing tobacco license fee. A legislation for the expansion of tobacco-free workplace which includes small businesses, break rooms and hotel rooms are also up for signing.
A motnh ago, the proposal has already been passed by Democratic lawmakers who waited for the right time to send it to Brown due to the threats from tobacco companies to stop the controversial bill.
