A new bill would make it illegal for teens to smoke in public places and many area teens support the measure. In fact, high school students inspired the youth anti-smoking bill. Assemblyman Frederick Scalera challenged Nutley High School students to propose their own public policy as part of a class project. The students came up with the youth smoking ban and Scalera brought it to the legislature.
Rutherford High School juniors Timur Ruzehaji and Nick Schiff said that as non-smokers, the bill would have no effect on them. Marie Kakogiannis, also a junior at RHS, supported the ban. "I think it’s a great way for kids not to smoke, but kids are going to find a way to do it. But whatever the government could do to prevent it, they should," said Kakogiannis.
The bill would ban individuals 19 years and younger from smoking, purchasing, possessing or carrying a lit cigarette or other type of tobacco product in public places. This includes streets, sidewalks, bridges, parks, recreation and shopping areas and parking lots. Currently it is not illegal for a teen to possess tobacco.
"The best way to keep teens tobacco-free is to ensure that they never light or smoke cigarettes or any other tobacco product," said Scalera, who represents District 36. "Preventing youth from smoking in public can do more than just protect their health and safety today, it could potentially save their lives down the road."
Anyone under the age of 19 caught smoking in public would be given a warning and possible parental notification for the first violation. A second violation would mean up to 25 hours of community service and participation in a mandatory court designated educational program on the dangers of smoking.
A third violation and each violation thereafter, would mean up to 50 hours of community service and a $75 fine. The measure went to the Assembly Speaker, who will decide if and when to post the bill for a floor vote.
The current law on the books penalizes vendors from selling tobacco products to persons under age 19, but does not punish them from attempting for purchase tobacco or for smoking in public. Vendors who sell to minors receive a $250 penalty for the first offense, a $500 penalty for the second and a $1,000 fine for each violation thereafter.
One-third of high school students smoke at least occasionally, according to the Department of Health and Senior Services. According to the American Cancer Society, 90 percent of smokers begin smoking before age 18.
