Why It Matters
New Jersey retailers could face higher fines and faster tobacco-license penalties for selling tobacco products to people under 21. The bill would also direct part of the penalties to nicotine-vaping education and outreach.
What Happened
Assembly lawmakers approved the measure on a 66-7 vote. Four Republicans abstained.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Venezia, Democrat of Essex, the bill would require the state taxation division to suspend a retailer’s tobacco license when the host municipality requests it after a local hearing. Following a second violation, the division would have to revoke the license if the municipality makes the request.
Current law gives the taxation division discretion to suspend or revoke licenses. The proposed changes would apply to retailers that sell any tobacco product to someone under 21.
“We’re putting some teeth to it,” Venezia said.
Eric Blomgren, executive director of the New Jersey Energy Marketers Group, said the organization supports enforcement and compliance with the law.
By the Numbers
66-7 — Assembly floor vote approving the bill
Four — Republicans who abstained
21 — Age below which tobacco sales would be penalized
$250 — Existing fine for a first violation
$500 — Existing fine for a second violation
$1,000 — Existing fine for third and subsequent violations
$750 — Proposed fine for a first violation
$1,500 — Proposed fine for a second violation
$3,000 — Proposed fine for third and subsequent violations
5% — Share of penalties allocated to the state Department of Health
Zoom Out
Under the bill, fines would go to the host municipality. Five percent of the penalties would be directed to the state Department of Health for nicotine-vaping education and outreach programs.
What’s Next
The bill has not advanced in the Senate. Joe Vitale said movement there is a matter of timing.