THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1030

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HEALTH.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the use of electronic smoking devices is prevalent among adolescents in Hawaii.  According to recent figures from six Hawaii high schools, among the ninth and tenth grade students, twenty-nine percent have used electronic smoking devices at least once and eighteen percent use them regularly.  This sample's rate of electronic smoking device use by adolescents is considerably higher than rates in current studies of adolescents in other areas of the United States.

     The legislature further finds that electronic smoking devices are popular among adolescents and the majority regard electronic smoking devices as healthier than cigarettes.  However, using electronic smoking devices in most instances exposes adolescents to nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance.  Therefore, in addition to preventing electronic smoking device use by adolescents, more research is needed to test why electronic smoking devices appeal to adolescents and whether using electronic smoking devices carries more benefits than risks.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part    .  TOBACCO PRODUCTS; MINORS

     §321-A  Definitions.  As used in this part:

     "Electronic smoking device" means any electronic product that can be used to aerosolize and deliver nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling the device, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, or electronic pipe, and any cartridge or other component of the device or related product.

     "Minor" means any person under the age of eighteen years.

     "Possession" means knowingly having direct physical control at a given time or knowingly having the power and the intention, at a given time, to exercise dominion or control, including the actual use of the tobacco product.

     "Tobacco product" means tobacco in any form, including an electronic smoking device, cigarettes, cigars, snuff, and chewing tobacco, that is prepared or intended for consumption by, or the personal use of, humans.

     §321-B  Tobacco products; minors; possession or consumption prohibited.  Possession or consumption of a tobacco product by a minor in a public place shall be prohibited.

     §321-C  Exemptions.  This part shall not apply to:

     (1)  Any minor, with parental authorization, who is participating in a controlled purchase as part of a law enforcement activity or a study authorized by the department of health under the supervision of law enforcement to determine the level of incidence of tobacco sales to minors; or

     (2)  Possession of tobacco products by a minor in the course of delivery, pursuant to the direction of the minor's employer lawfully engaged in business necessitating the delivery.

     §321-D  Enforcement; rules.  (a)  An agent or employee of the department of health or a law enforcement officer who witnesses a minor in the act of violating section 321-B shall issue a citation to the minor; provided that the family court shall be informed as provided in section 571-21(a) for appropriate proceedings under chapter 571.

     (b)  The department shall adopt rules under chapter 91 to effectuate this part, including the establishment of the amount of any administrative fine, community service requirements, and attendance at youth smoking education programs; provided that the parents or legal guardians of a minor child shall be jointly and severally liable for any administrative fine imposed under this part."

     SECTION 3.  Section 709-908, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§709-908  Tobacco products and electronic smoking devices [prohibited; minors.]; persons under twenty-one years of age.

     (1)  [It] After July 1, 2015, it shall be unlawful to sell or furnish a tobacco product in any shape or form[, including chewing tobacco and snuff,] or an electronic smoking device to a [minor under eighteen] person under twenty-one years of age.

     (2)  [Signs] After July 1, 2015, signs using the statement, "The sale of tobacco products or electronic smoking devices to persons under [eighteen] twenty-one is prohibited", shall be posted on or near any vending machine in letters at least one-half inch high and at or near the point of sale of any other location where tobacco products or electronic smoking devices are sold in letters at least one-half inch high.

     (3)  It shall be unlawful for a minor under eighteen years of age to purchase any tobacco product[, as described under subsection (1),] or [an] electronic smoking device, as [described under] those terms are defined in subsection (5).  This provision does not apply if a person under the age of eighteen, with parental authorization, is participating in a controlled purchase as part of a law enforcement activity or a study authorized by the department of health under the supervision of law enforcement to determine the level of incidence of tobacco or electronic smoking devices sales to minors.

     (4)  Any person who violates subsection (1) or (2), or both, shall be fined $500 for the first offense.  Any subsequent offenses shall subject the person to a fine not less than $500 nor more than $2,000.  Any minor under eighteen years of age who violates subsection (3) shall be fined $10 for the first offense.  Any subsequent offense shall subject the violator to a fine of $50, no part of which shall be suspended, or the person shall be required to perform not less than forty-eight hours nor more than seventy-two hours of community service during hours when the person is not employed and is not attending school.

     (5)  For the purposes of this section:

     "Electronic smoking device" means any electronic product that can be used to [simulate smoking in the delivery of] aerosolize and deliver nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device, including but not limited to an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, or electronic pipe, and any cartridge or other component of the device or related product.

     "Tobacco product" means any product made or derived from tobacco that contains nicotine or other substances and is intended for human consumption or is likely to be consumed, whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, or ingested by other means.  "Tobacco product" includes but is not limited to a cigarette, cigar, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, or an electronic smoking device.  "Tobacco product" does not include drugs, devices, or combination products approved for sale by the United States Food and Drug Administration, as those terms are defined in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act."

     SECTION 4.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 5.  In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

     SECTION 6.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2112.


 


 

Report Title:

Tobacco; Tobacco Products; Electronic; Cigarettes; Minors; Tobacco Sales; Prohibition of Possession or Consumption

 

Description:

Increases the minimum age for persons who may purchase tobacco products or electronic smoking devices from eighteen to twenty-one years of age.  Prohibits possession or consumption of tobacco products or electronic smoking devices by any person under eighteen years of age in public places.  Amends the definition of "electronic smoking device" as used in section 709-908, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Defines "tobacco products".  (SB1030 HD1)

 

 

 

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