*UPDATE* Upper Arlington raises age of tobacco sales to 21+
As Upper Arlington City Council members debated the merits of lifting the age for tobacco sales to 21 and over, there were somewhat predictable arguments on each side. For the proposed law…’protecting the health of young adults.’ Against the proposed law….’harm to businesses.’ In the end, as council members voted, there was no opposition. By a vote of 7 – 0, Upper Arlington became the first community in the state of Ohio to raise the age for purchasing tobacco products to 21+.
Stores caught violating the law would be fined $150 for the first offense, $250 for a second offense and $500 for the third offense and for each violation of the ban thereafter inside of a one-year period. (jj)
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Previous: Upper Arlington to vote today on 21+ tobacco law
Upper Arlington City Council members are expected to vote on Monday on a proposed ordinance banning the sale of tobacco and nicotine products to anyone under the age of 21. Supporters point to health benefits of the proposed law. Opponents say that it would hurt local businesses. Stores caught violating the law would be fined $150 for the first offense, $250 for a second offense and $500 for the third offense and for each violation of the ban thereafter inside of a one-year period.
Upper Arlington would become the first community in the state of Ohio to put such a ban in place.
(jj)
Previous: Update: Must be 21 yrs or older to buy 5/27/15
It’s not just Upper Arlington that wants an ordinance in place that raises the age for buying tobacco and tobacco products. City leaders in Bexley and New Albany have joined UA in its decision to push forward with legislation that would raise the age limit from 18 to 21-years-old. The hope is to decrease the number of young people smoking. Several community members have also launched “Age 21,” an initiative that comes from the Smoke-Free Columbus Campaign; it urges cities to raise the legal age. (deb)
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Previously April 9, 2015
Upper Arlington wants to raise the age limit for buying and selling tobacco (and other nicotine products) from 18 to 21. The city recently approved a public ban on smoking and the sale of e-cigarettes. This new proposal, according to Councilman Kip Greenhill (who requested the age raise), is “the single most-effective intervention we can use against tobacco.” There’s been some hesitation from other council members, which is why no action was taken during Monday’s meeting. But it’s expected to be considered as a formal ordinance at an upcoming meeting. (deb)
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