YOUTH & TOBACCO NEWS - Maine Passes Ban on Flavored Cigarettes, Tobacco-Free School Law

October 4 , 2007

Along with public health officials, legislators and students, Maine Governor John E. Balducci celebrated the passing of two new laws aimed at reducing youth tobacco use, one that will prohibit the sale of flavored cigarettes and cigars and another that will require all school districts to be tobacco-free.  The flavored cigarette and cigar law will prohibit the sale or distribution of such products, which tend to appeal to minors, beginning July 1, 2009.  The tobacco-free schools law will prohibit all tobacco use by anyone on school district grounds, including at outdoor sporting events.  Although Maine received straight A’s on the American Lung Association’s Annual Report card, Governor Balducci argued that much has yet to be done regarding youth tobacco use.  “Sixteen percent of our high school students still smoke,” said Balducci.  “This number is too high.  The tobacco industry has not given up and neither can we.”

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