Just a few weeks after New Jersey Governor Chris Christie used a pocket veto to defeat a bill that would raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products in the state from 19 to 21-years-old, a pair of bills have been introduced into the New Jersey legislature that are seeking the same increase once again. S359, sponsored by Sens. Richard J. Codey, D-27; Joseph F. Vitale, D-19; and Shirley K. Turner, D-15, cleared its first hurdle in the legislative process as the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee approved it 5-3 with one abstention on Thursday. It now heads to the full Senate for consideration. The Assembly version, A2320, was co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, D-37 and Assemblyman Herb Conway, Jr., D-7. It has been referred to the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee. The bills presented in the previous session of the New Jersey Legislature passed the Senate by a 22-10 vote with eight non-voting members in June 2014, and then cleared the Assembly in Jan. 2016 by a 48-21 vote with five not voting and five abstaining. Also returning to the legislature floor is a ban on smoking at all New Jersey public parks and ...
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