Duncan Signs Tobacco Placement Legislation

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Ma/tobaccobillsigning.pr 00-433

CONTACT: David Weaver, 240-777-6530

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20, 2000

DUNCAN SIGNS TOBACCO
PLACEMENT LEGISLATION

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today signed into law legislation requiring retailers to keep cigarettes and other tobacco products behind the counter and out of the reach of children. In addition, the bill is aimed at preventing shoplifting of tobacco products. Duncan was joined by Councilmember Blair Ewing, the author of the bill, and anti-smoking advocates. The bill was passed by the County Council on November 14 by unanimous vote. The law will take effect on February 20, 2001.

"This legislation is yet another important step we are taking in Montgomery County to limit children's access to tobacco," said Duncan. "We want to make it more difficult for kids to get cigarettes because we want to keep them from becoming addicted to nicotine."

The bill signing ceremony was held at Belby's Beer and Wine in Rockville, a retailer that voluntarily keeps tobacco products out of reach of children. A recent survey by members of Students Oppose Smoking (SOS) found that about 85 percent of stores in Montgomery County have some tobacco products that can be shoplifted easily.

"We want to keep cigarettes out of the hands of young people and this law will help us do just that," said Councilmember Blair Ewing, who sponsored the bill and also chairs the Health and Human Services Committee. "Most establishments in the County already keep tobacco products out of reach. This would bring along those that presently don't."

County and State laws prohibit the sale of tobacco products to minors, and in July 1998, Board of License Commissioners began inspections of more than 800 retailers in Montgomery County. To date, 542 citations have been issued for the illegal sale of tobacco to minors. Persons (and licensed owners) selling tobacco to minors face a $500 civil citation for the first violation, and $750 for a second or subsequent offense.

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