ASSEMBLY, No. 2585

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 16, 1996

 

 

By Assemblyman GIBSON

 

 

An Act concerning possession of tobacco products by minors and supplementing Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1.    a. No person under the age of 18 years shall possess or have under his control any cigarettes made of tobacco; any cigarette paper or tobacco in any form including smokeless tobacco. A minor who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of up to $100.00.

    b. A municipal court shall have jurisdiction over proceedings to enforce and collect any penalty imposed because of a violation of subsection a. of this section if the violation has occurred within the territorial jurisdiction of the court. The proceedings shall be summary and in accordance with "the penalty enforcement law, " (N.J.S. 2A:58-1 et seq.). Process shall be the nature of a summons or warrant and shall issue by the municipal law enforcement authority.

 

    2. This act shall take effect 30 days following enactment.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This bill would prohibit the possession of cigarettes and other tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco, by minors. Violations of this prohibition would be punishable by a fine of up to $100.00. The enactment of this bill would protect the public health and safety by discouraging our teens from smoking.

 

 

                             

Prohibits possession of cigarettes and other tobacco products by minors.