ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1255

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: NOVEMBER 7,1996

      The Assembly Health Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 1255.

      As amended by the committee, this bill bans the sale of loose or single cigarettes and cigarettes in packs of less than 20 cigarettes, whether sold by vending machine or over-the-counter. The owner of a vending machine which dispenses single cigarettes or cigarettes in packs of less than 20 would be fined $100 to $500 for each day the vending machine operates in violation of this prohibition. A first offense for over-the-counter sales would result in a fine of $250 for a first offense and $500 for a second or subsequent offense.

      The committee amendments:

      -- expand the provisions of this bill to prohibit the sale of cigarettes in packs of less than 20 cigarettes, in addition to the sale of single cigarettes;

      -- penalize the owner of a vending machine which dispenses single cigarettes or cigarettes in packs of less than 20, in the amount of $100 to $500 for each day the vending machine operates in violation of the bill;

      -- penalize a retailer who sells a single cigarette or cigarettes in packs of less than 20, in the amount of $250 for a first offense and $500 for a second or subsequent offense; and

      -- change the effective date from the first day of the fifth month to the 60th day after the date of enactment.

      As amended by the committee, this bill is identical to Senate Bill No. 1228 (Sinagra/Adler), which is currently pending in the Senate Health Committee.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 1996-97 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review which has been performed.