Hawaii to become the first state to raise smoking age to 21 for cigarettes?

[pwaldo]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ng-age-21.html

A bill that would make Hawaii the first state to raise the legal smoking age to 21 cleared the Legislature on Friday and is headed to the governor.

The bill would prevent adolescents from smoking, buying or possessing both traditional and electronic cigarettes.

Governor David Ige hasn't yet decided whether he will sign the bill and said he will not review it until it is vetted by his staff for any legal issues, as is the case with all bills.

'The departments will be doing their review and then we'll have the opportunity to look at it,' Ige said.

Jessica Yamauchi, executive director of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii, called the legislation 'groundbreaking'.

'It's amazing to be the first state in something. That's very exciting for us.'

The bill includes a $10 fine for first-time offenders. Subsequent violations would lead to a $50 fine or mandatory community service.

[mrveggieman]

I think a better idea would be to increase the sin tax on tobacco. Make cost prohibitive therefore discouraging it's use.

[duane1969]

I disagree with any law that limits an 18 year old from engaging in anything that someone older is allowed to engage in. We put 18 year olds in the battlefield with AR-15s and ask them to risk/give their life for our country, they should be able to smoke a cigarette or drink a beer. I disagree with smoking because of the health risks, but to criminalize something like this when we ask them to give so much is just ignorant. You can not legislate morality or healthy lifestyles.

Furthermore, making the smoking age 18 hasn't stopped kids 17 and under from getting tobacco, what nimrod actually thinks raising the age to 21 will change that?

[Star_Cards]

I agree duane, I don't see a reason for this either. If anything drop the drinking age to 18. That's when a person is legally an adult.

[habsheaven]

I am more inclined to raise the age of adulthood to 21 for all activities rather than 18. I think there have been studies indicating that the brain isn't fully mature at 18.

[duane1969]

I am more inclined to raise the age of adulthood to 21 for all activities rather than 18. I think there have been studies indicating that the brain isn't fully mature at 18.

That would be catastrophic for the military. I feel safe in saying 99.9% of their recruits are fresh out of high school. I can't remember the last time I heard of someone joining the military 2 or more years after leaving school. I am sure it happens, but compared to the numbers that join straight out of school it would be miniscule.

[habsheaven]

That would be catastrophic for the military. I feel safe in saying 99.9% of their recruits are fresh out of high school. I can't remember the last time I heard of someone joining the military 2 or more years after leaving school. I am sure it happens, but compared to the numbers that join straight out of school it would be miniscule.

Not necessarily, you could revamp the system in such a way that active duty was delayed until 21. Some sort of military college and training for 3 years before you can be activated. I always hear of the military doing domestic projects and helping out during disasters.

Now that I think about it. Maybe incorporate that training with a program that transitions active members back into society when they leave active duty. Kind of like a buffer before and after actual serving in the real combat roles.

[deansayso]

Not necessarily, you could revamp the system in such a way that active duty was delayed until 21. Some sort of military college and training for 3 years before you can be activated. I always hear of the military doing domestic projects and helping out during disasters.

Now that I think about it. Maybe incorporate that training with a program that transitions active members back into society when they leave active duty. Kind of like a buffer before and after actual serving in the real combat roles.

I'm on board with that. Also increase the pay to get more people interested.

[habsheaven]

I'm on board with that. Also increase the pay to get more people interested.

I don't know the numbers, but I would much rather see more of the military budget being spent on the well-being of the actual soldiers than the equipment (some of which is not necessarily needed).

[mrveggieman]

I don't know the numbers, but I would much rather see more of the military budget being spent on the well-being of the actual soldiers than the equipment (some of which is not necessarily needed).

^^^^This^^^^^