Editor’s Note: Will New Jersey be flooded with illicit menthol cigarettes or are fears of the illicit market overblown?
From: CSP
Legislation first of its kind at state level
MINNEAPOLIS — Approximately two weeks ago, legislation was introduced in the Assembly in the State of New Jersey that would ban the sale of menthol cigarettes. The bill (A2185) has passed the Assembly Committee on Health and Senior Services and has been sent to the Appropriations Committee for consideration. Legislation that would completely ban the sale of menthol cigarettes has never before been introduced at the statewide level.
Although many larger, local jurisdictions around the country including San Francisco; Minneapolis; St. Paul, Minn.; Duluth, Minn.; and Chicago and others have passed ordinances that would restrict or ban the sale of menthol, mint and wintergreen flavored tobacco products within their cities, these types of restrictions or bans have never permeated to the statewide level of government, until now.
