The sale of certain flavoured cigarettes would be prohibited in New Jersey under a bill that was approved by a state Senate panel and which now heads to the full Senate.
The bill, sponsored by Senators Joseph Vitale and Barbara Buono, would prohibit the sale or distribution of cigarettes with a flavour that is attractive to young people, such as fruit, chocolate, vanilla, honey, alcoholic beverage, herb or spice flavours. Menthol and clove cigarettes are exempted from the prohibition, and the measure does not apply to cigars, cigarillos, pipe tobacco and smokeless tobacco.
The bill was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee by a vote of 8-1. It had already been approved by the full Senate last session, but did not receive assembly consideration before the end of the session last month. It now heads to the full Senate for review. (pi)