It’s been about six weeks since a package of anti-tobacco bills was passed by the California legislature, including an increase in the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21-years-old. But they weren’t transmitted to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk for his signature, as a lobbyist known for ties to tobacco giant Altria promised a fight over non-tobacco proposals unless changes are made to the proposed tobacco laws. It now appears that the period of limbo is over, as the Sacramento Bee is reporting that legislators will deliver the bills to the governor on Friday, at which point he will have 12 days to sign them. Included in the package is legislation that classifies e-cigarettes as tobacco products, allows local municipalities to impose additional taxes on tobacco products and expands the ban on smoking in workplaces. Additionally, tobacco-free policies and education programs would be promoted at schools. Should Gov. Brown sign the legislation–which he is expected to do–California would become the second state to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21, joining Hawaii, which passed the legislation last year and had it go into effect on Jan. 1.
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