STATUS:
A9863-A   Grannis (MS)
Public Health Law
TITLE....Prohibits the sale or distribution of any herbal cigarette to a person under the age of eighteen years
03/07/00   referred to health
04/04/00   reported referred to codes
04/12/00   amend and recommit to codes
04/12/00   print number 9863a
06/01/00   reported referred to rules
06/05/00   rules report cal.772
06/05/00   ordered to third reading rules cal.772
06/06/00   substituted by s6729a
         S06729   MARCELLINO
         02/29/00    REFERRED TO HEALTH
         03/07/00    ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.364
         03/14/00    PASSED SENATE
         03/14/00    DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
         03/14/00    referred to health
         03/30/00    RECALLED FROM ASSEMBLY
         03/30/00    returned to senate
         03/30/00    VOTE RECONSIDERED - RESTORED TO THIRD READING
         03/30/00    AMENDED ON THIRD READING 6729A
         04/03/00    REPASSED SENATE
         04/03/00    DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
         04/03/00    referred to health
         06/06/00    substituted for a9863a
         06/06/00    ordered to third reading rules cal.772
         06/06/00    passed assembly
         06/06/00    returned to senate
         09/22/00    DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR
        10/04/00     SIGNED CHAP.508


SUMMARY:

Amd Art 13-F Art Head, SS1399-aa - 1399-dd & 1399-ff, Pub Health L
Prohibits the sale or distribution of any herbal cigarette to a person under the age of eighteen years; defines "herbal cigarette" to
include any product made primarily of an herb or combination of herbs, and intended to be smoked in any of the methods that
tobacco is smoked, such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe filler.

SPONSORS MEMO:

                                 NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
                         MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
                        submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(e)


BILL NUMBER: A9863A

SPONSOR: Grannis (MS)

TITLE:  AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to prohib-
iting the sale of herbal cigarettes to minors

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:  To prohibit the sale, or distrib-
ution, of any herbal cigarettes to a person under the age of eighteen.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:  This bill amends Article 13-F of the
public health law to include the prohibition of the sale of herbal ciga-
rettes to minors. Section 1399-aa of the public health law is amended by
adding a new subdivision 6 which defines "herbal cigarettes."

JUSTIFICATION:  Although herbal based cigarettes do not contain tobac-
co or nicotine, lighting and inhaling it releases tar, carbon monoxide
and other cancer causing agents into the lungs. Currently, because these
cigarettes maybe comprised of mint, catnip or wild lettuce, but not
tobacco, they can legally be sold to minors of any age.  Furthermore,
herbal cigarettes are not taxed as heavily as tobacco cigarettes and so
they are considerably less expensive.  A pack of herbal cigarettes costs
about $2.75 and a pack of Marlboro cigarettes now costs $4.50. Many
herbal cigarettes are less expensive, and easier to purchase, which
makes them alluring to children.  Also, children who smoke herbal ciga-
rettes will become accustomed to the sensation of inhaling and may later
graduate to tobacco based cigarettes.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after
it shall have become law.

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