SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA– California officials announced a sweeping new public health mandate this week requiring customers to present valid identification proving they are under the age of 12 before purchasing any tobacco products, a policy Democrat leaders described as evidence-based, youth-forward, and long overdue.
Under the mandate, tobacco sales to anyone 13 or older are now prohibited statewide, with progressive Governor Gavin Newsom signing the executive mandate surrounded by fifth-graders smoking cigarettes.
“Once a person turns 13, they’re capable of understanding consequences,” said Governor Newsom, handing a 5-year-old a pack of cigarettes. “At that point, smoking is no longer exploration. It’s a choice. And California doesn’t support choices.”
Newsom went on to explain that children 12 and under are considered uniquely qualified to make contextual, low-stakes nicotine decisions free from societal pressure. The governor also warned against any adults or parents exploiting young children by having them purchase the cigarettes for them, promising a lengthy prison sentence and a hefty fine.
“No one should be exploiting innocent children, unless it’s the government,” said Newsom before asking a little girl for one of her menthols. “I’m also calling on all children to report mommy or daddy if you see them trying to steal any of your tobacco. For every parent arrested you’ll be rewarded with a free pack of cigarettes and a few tumors on your lungs.”
California’s new smoking mandate came on the heels of the progressive state of New Jersey lowering the legal drinking age to 2-years-old.
