the same time. The government has issued regulations to limit the accessibility and appeal of tobacco products to young people. Steps to control underage smoking have not helped. Even under penalty of the law, businesses continue to sell tobacco products to minor. Vendors now have to card any one who is under the age of 27. It is a burden for minimum wage employees to play a constant age guessing game. The government is punishing the vendors, but not the teens. The government has also raised the price of cigarettes, but many teens don’t think this will stop them. In an article published in the Akron Beacon Journal, 16-year-old Zach Naugle of Covington Kentucky said, “It’s not going to make me quit because I’ve got a job and I’m making money to buy cigarettes not matter what they cost.” A solution to this gigantic problem would be for Ohio to set up a state law that would penalize minors for possession and use of tobacco. Currently, state law prohibits teens from purchasing cigarettes, but there is now law prohibiting them from using them. Seems backward, doesn’t it? Punishment for teens caught smoking would be a fine of up to $250, attendance at a day long tobacco-awareness class and 4 hours of community service. Those who skip class, community service, or fail to come to court, would lose their license for up to 180 days and have a warrant issued for their arrest once they turn 18. For teens who do not yet have a license, they will have to wait 6 month after they apply for a license to get one. Stiffer penalties would be given for repeat offenses. But, will it work? This type of law, one that makes it illegal for teens to smoke, has been used in states such as Washington, Texas, and Illinois. Their laws are constructed similarly to this proposal, including prohibition and punishment. So far, in Texas, 164 teenagers has their driver’s license suspended for tobacco-related offenses, accord...
