USA: Livingston City Council Considers the Decree of Tobacco

Source from:  Tobacco World 07/09/2012

Companies may soon have to deal with the new board, if they want to sell tobacco products. During a meeting this week, city council members Livingstone total different opinions about the possibility of regulations that impose a small annual fee on the sale of tobacco shops, some say, may be about $ 100. The city estimates it raise more than $ 1,000 per year if the board was approved. This proposal will be returned as an action item on a future agenda. Step came from the California Health collaborative, a nonprofit organization that has recently received some public funding for education about the consequences of underage smoking and encourage cities to ensure that retailers do not sell tobacco products to children. In February, the organization held a “youth purchase survey”, as well as representatives argued that, of 15 stores in Livingston, the two tried to sell tobacco products to minors. If approved by the Livingston introduction of an additional duty on stores that sell tobacco products, the city will decide how to use the proceeds. This will mainly go towards authorities, and possibly education. Council members had mixed feelings about the proposed regulations Tuesday. Mayor Pro Tem Margarita Aguilar and board member Teresa of land and has expressed interest in that, and what tools can do to combat tobacco use among minors. Aguilar said when the kids are smoking; it opens the door for illegal drug use and problems in the future. Land agreed, saying that it “generally support it.” "I think it’s a great idea, and I think we should do it, perhaps with alcohol as well,” Land, adding that young people get hold of tobacco and alcohol can lead them down the wrong path in life. Councilman Gurpal Samra offered a different perspective, noting that while he opposes the use of tobacco in general, he does not think that the decision is necessary because laws already exist to prevent most health problems California is trying to solve together. "It’s not just about tax,” he said. “Companies understand that the cost of doing business. In my opinion, it becomes a question of how many laws necessary for the same thing? “ Samra added that while the police department will consider the cases of tobacco sales to minors, if they come, there are more pressing issues for the department to focus on. Livingston Police Chief Ruben Chavez said that the four months he was in office, he found no cases of stores selling tobacco products to minors. The only situation, it is treated when he came across a teenager smoking cigarettes, which were delivered to her mother. "It was kind of disappointing for me,” he said, adding that it also needs to focus on educating parents about the consequences of exposing their children to tobacco. But with limited staffing, devoting time monitoring of stores to make sure they do not sell tobacco to minors fades into the background are other, more serious crimes such as crimes against property and violent crimes. "Obviously, if the Council supports this idea and wants to go forward, we will support that,” Chavez said. Some companies that sell tobacco in Livingston has been made of stars in the Sun Thursday, but either declined to comment and directed inquiries corporate representatives did not return calls to the Sun, stars on Thursday night. The representative of the media, Phillip Morris USA, the largest tobacco company in the country, said that he would reconsider the decision after its publication, but do not want to speculate on that. Although it is unknown when possible decree will be reviewed Livingstone City Council, California health plans to introduce the idea of a joint in the other city councils throughout Merced County in the near future. Enditem