Approved Anti-Smoking Bills Not Advanced To Governor
Some speculate Democratic leaders are holding on to the package of bills, which the tobacco industry wants to quash with a ballot referendum, until the last possible minute.
The California legislature approved an aggressive package of anti-tobacco bills more than a week ago, but it still hasn’t sent the measures to the governor.
The package includes a measure that would raise the legal age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21. Hawaii is the only state that has such a law.
Another bill would subject electronic cigarettes to the same restrictions as regular cigarettes.
The tobacco industry has threatened to put a referendum on the ballot to nullify the laws. But it can’t start the process until the governor signs the bills.
Some speculate that Democratic leaders are holding on to them until the last possible minute. Once they send them to the governor, he’ll have 12 days to take action.
