Bill Would Make It Harder For Kids To Get Tobacco Products Pta Wants Tobacco Sales Licenses, Ban On Cigarette Vending Machines

Idaho would make it much harder for children to get tobacco products, under legislation introduced Monday.

The far-reaching bill, sponsored by the Idaho PTA, would require those who sell tobacco to be licensed, as they are in 43 states now. It would require all tobacco products to be behind the counter, out of a child’s reach, and would ban two new tobacco products popular with teens that now don’t fall under the state law’s definitions.

“Our interest is for children,” said Caryn Esplin, an Idaho PTA board member. “As parents and teachers, that’s why we’re here. We’re alarmed at how easy it is for kids to buy tobacco in Idaho, and to steal tobacco.”

Last year, after a protracted legislative battle, legislation sponsored by the tobacco industry was enacted, amid promises that it would limit minors’ access to tobacco.

Esplin said a legislative committee challenged the PTA to come back this year with something more effective, if it could find a way. So the group researched laws in other states and developed a new bill.

The PTA tried to get five amendments added to last year’s legislation, Esplin said, but won only three. “There were some good things in it, but there were some things in it we had concerns about.”

Among the top concerns: Two products that are becoming increasingly popular with youngsters aren’t included under the new law’s definitions. They are roll-your-own tobacco, which now comes in handy pouches with rolling papers, and nasal snuff, which is inhaled through the nose rather than smoked.

Esplin showed the Senate State Affairs Committee packages of the two products Monday. Holding up the packet of roll-your-own tobacco, she said, “I guess they think it’s cool, and it’s cheaper.”

“These products need to be included in our definitions,” she said.

The bill also would require the approximately 3,500 retailers of tobacco in Idaho to each get a $55 annual license. With the money from the license fee, the state would contract with local law enforcement or health districts to conduct two annual inspections to ensure compliance. The inspections would include a minor attempting to buy tobacco.

The legislation also bans cigarette vending machines; requires all tobacco products to be sold in “vendor assisted sales,” which means they would be kept out of the customer’s reach until the customer has paid for them; and bans distributing free samples of tobacco, coupons, or sale of individual cigarettes.

The “singles,” sometimes sold for a quarter in stores, are “easy for kids to pick up,” Esplin said.

Those who sell tobacco without a license could face criminal penalties. Licensed retailers who sell to minors would face civil penalties.

Esplin cited Centers for Disease Control figures showing that 27.1 percent of Idaho high school students smoke, and 21.7 percent of Idaho high school boys use smokeless tobacco.

A tobacco lobbyist sat in on part of Esplin’s presentation, but left before it was over.

Afterward, several senators on the committee approached Esplin to shake her hand and congratulate her.

“We’ve had a lot of support,” she said. “We don’t want Idaho to be the last state in the country to have tobacco licensing. We have high hopes.”

, DataTimes