Mixed reactions are being reported after Governor Christie vetoed tobacco bill.
The bill to raise the smoking age to 21 in New Jersey has officially been rejected by Governor Chris Christie.
According to a report from nj.com, the governor’s decision to veto the bill is good news for food retailers and convenience store operators who feared losing business if the bill were to pass. The bill’s failure is also beneficial to electronic cigarette producers, as this tobacco alternative would also have been banned from sale to individuals under 21 if the bill had passed.
Nj.com also reported that the Office of Legislative Services had estimated that the state would have lost $16.2 million in taxes if the bill had passed, but state senator Richard Codey has stated that state officials will try to raise the tobacco age again in the future.
State health officers and advocates are disappointed in the bill’s failure, claiming that the bill would have saved lives, as 90% of tobacco users begin use before they turn 20, and it would have save billions of New Jersey taxpayer dollars.