The House passed the measure. Tobacco prevention advocates were especially troubled to lose the bill in light of the high number of retailers who sell tobacco to children in the state. Another bill calling for retailers to move tobacco products behind the counter or to another location controlled by the clerks was passed by committees in both houses and was approved on the floor of the House. When the bill made it to the floor of the Senate, it was waylaid into the Rules Committee, where it was allowed to die at the end of the session. Moving the products behind the counter is another way to keep tobacco out of the hands of children.
Legislators continue to work on the budget in extended session.
The American Lung Association has data on lung disease prevalence and other information on line.