FISCAL NOTE TO


ASSEMBLY, No. 1896


STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: DECEMBER 30, 1996

 

 

      Assembly Bill No. 1896 of 1996 prohibits the use or possession of tobacco products in a public place by persons under the age of 18. A violator would be fined $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense, and $500 for the third or subsequent offense, or be ordered to perform community service. In addition, a third or subsequent offender would have his driver's license suspended or postponed for one year. This bill also makes it unlawful for a person less than 18 years of age to purchase, attempt to purchase, or misrepresent his age for the purpose of purchasing tobacco products. A fine of not more than $100 would be imposed for this violation.

      The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) states that while there are statistics available regarding the use of tobacco products by juveniles, there is no information available to ascertain the number of juveniles who would be found guilty of violating the proposed legislation. Thus, the AOC cannot estimate the amount of revenue to be generated from this bill. In addition, the AOC notes that these provisions would fall under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Courts, and would be handled locally, relieving the Family Division of the cost of processing the cases.

      The Office of Legislative Services concurs, but adds that because of the large number of juvenile smokers, the potential exists for a dramatic increase in municipal court cases, with a concurrent increase in court revenue. The extent of these increases cannot be estimated.

 

This fiscal note has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67.