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SALT LAKE CITY — A Senate committee gave preliminary approval to a bill Monday to prohibit Utahns under age 19 from entering specialty smoke shops without a parent or legal guardian.
HB131, sponsored by Rep. Kraig Powell, R-Heber City, advanced through the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee with little discussion and a 5-0 vote.
The bill included amendments that provide exceptions to the proposed law, which state an 18-year-old can enter the tobacco specialty shop if he or she is an active duty member of the U.S. armed forces, or if the individual enters the tobacco shop for a business purpose other than to purchase a cigarette, tobacco or an electronic cigarette, Powell said.
HB131 would also restrict accompanying parents or guardians from allowing individuals under 19 to purchase tobacco or e-cigarette merchandise from the specialty shops.
The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
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