House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

Posted:	January 8, 2015 10:04 AM
From:	Representative Gerald J. Mullery
To:	All House members
Subject:	Prohibition of Nicotine Products in Schools

In the near future, I will introduce legislation to amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to prohibit the use of both tobacco and nicotine based products in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania schools. The use of such products on school grounds would result in a summary offense. According to a 2010 report published by Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, tobacco companies spent upwards of $396 million to market their products in Pennsylvania, and influence our children. Because of these egregious marketing campaigns, 90% of tobacco users start smoking and using tobacco products before the age of 18. Approximately 18,500 Pennsylvania youth become new daily smokers each year, and today, nearly 18% of public middle and high school students are cigarette smokers. Many of the nicotine products available on the market today are colorful and attractive to young persons. Often, these products look, smell, and taste like mints, gum, and other candies. By prohibiting the use of both tobacco and nicotine products on school grounds, we can attempt to decrease the prevalence of tobacco and nicotine use at our Commonwealth schools, as well as enhance the currently tobacco-free environments. I invite you to co-sponsor this important legislation.
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Introduced as HB1189