TOBACCO SALES TO MINOR: PENALTIES S.B. 340:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 340 (as reported without amendment)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Youth Tobacco Act to increase the penalties for selling, giving, or furnishing a tobacco product to a minor and for a minor's purchase, possession, or use of a tobacco product.
The Act prohibits a person from selling, giving, or furnishing a tobacco product to a minor (a person under 18 years of age). The Act also prohibits a minor from doing any of the following:
-- Purchasing or attempting to purchase a tobacco product.
-- Possessing or attempting to possess a tobacco product.
-- Using a tobacco product in a public place.
-- Presenting or offering to a person a purported proof of age that is false, fraudulent, or not actually his or her own proof of age, for the purpose of buying, possessing, or attempting to buy or possess a tobacco product.
The violations described above are misdemeanors punishable by a fine of not more than $50 for each violation. Under the bill, the misdemeanors would be punishable by a maximum fine of $100 for a first violation and up to $500 for a second or subsequent violation.
(The Act defines "tobacco product" as a product that contains tobacco and is intended for human consumption, including cigarettes, noncigarette smoking tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and cigars.)
The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.
MCL 722.641 & 722.642 Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State. From the proposed increase in fine amounts, there could be an increase in revenue, which would be dedicated to public libraries.
Date Completed: 6-17-15 Fiscal Analyst: John Maxwell
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.