Alaska State Legislature

News From The House Majority

Ken Freeman, Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Tobacco Legislation Goes to House Floor

For Immediate Release: May 1, 1997 Contact: Ken Freeman (907) 465-3804

JUNEAU - The House Majority Caucus Thursday evening decided to bring a package of tobacco related legislation, designed to curb teen smoking, to the House floor for discussion and a vote.

Among the measures to be brought to the floor include:

HB 159, introduced by Representative Pete Kott, seeks to strengthen the penalties against an establishment which knowingly sells tobacco products, raise the legal age to possess tobacco from 19 to 21 years old and increase the enforcement of tobacco sales and minors in possession.

HB 189, by Representative John Cowdery, would restrict the location and placement of tobacco products.

SB 13, by Senator Bert Sharp, seeks to increase the tobacco tax by 71 cents, bringing taxes on a package of cigarettes to $1.00 - one of the highest tobacco taxes in the nation.

House Speaker Gail Phillips said the package of tobacco-related bills will come to the House floor by next week.

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