California Assemblyman Damon Connolly has introduced a bill (AB 935) that would prohibit anyone from purchasing a tobacco product who was born on or after January 1, 2007. Essentially it would implement total prohibition of tobacco products for future generations.
Last year, New Zealand passed legislation that will bar the sale and supply of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1st, 2009. This was the first country to implement such a ban on a national level. Now California is attempting to become the first state in the U.S. to implement such a ban.
“We are deeply concerned about AB 935 and any legislation that seeks to restrict the rights of premium cigar smokers,” said Joshua Habursky, Deputy Executive Director of the Premium Cigar Association in a press release. “These proposals are not based on scientific evidence, but rather on a political agenda that seeks to demonize adult cigar smokers and restrict their freedom to enjoy a legal product. Clearly it is no longer a hidden agenda of the anti tobacco groups to support full prohibition.”
The Premium Cigar Association has launched a Call to Action opposing AB 935. “CigarAction.org is an important tool for all cigar lovers and consumer freedom advocates,” said Glynn Loope, Director of State Affairs at the Premium Cigar Association “By signing up for CigarAction.org, you can make your voice heard and help us fight what is now, the most significant threat to the premium cigar industry in the nation. This legislation is proof of how bad policy ideas spread.”
Cigar Rights of America has issued its Call to Action. The Cigar Association of America has not issued any statement as of yet around AB 935.
The full text of the AB 935 bill can be found here.
Update: 2/15/22: Added information on Calls to Act
Originally posted on February 15, 2023 @ 3:22 pm