Impact
WARD: Citywide
COMMITTEE: Public Safety
$ IMPACT:
Title
Approve the amendment to the City of Smyrna's Code of Ordinances Chapter 66 entitled Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions by adding Section 66-17, prohibiting the sales of tobacco products to persons under the age of 21 and prohibiting the possession, use and purchase of tobacco products to person under the age of twenty-one (21).
Body
ISSUE: Based upon the information given by the professionals, the city recognizes that tobacco use is the foremost preventable cause of premature death in America. It causes nearly half a million deaths annually and has been responsible for 20.8 million premature deaths in the U.S. since the first Surgeon General’s report on smoking in 1964. The purpose of this ordinance is to reduce the access of Tobacco Products among adolescents, improve health within the community and saves lives.
BACKGROUND: The City of Smyrna also received input from local educators. Representatives from the one high school and two middle schools in Smyrna have reported a significant rise in e-cigarette use. Based upon the input given by these professionals, the City of Smyrna recognizes that young people are particularly susceptible to the addictive properties of tobacco products, and youth that begin using tobacco products are particularly likely to become lifelong users. The brains of young people are particularly susceptible to the addictive properties of nicotine. As a result, approximately 3 out of 4 teen smokers end up smoking into adulthood. Based upon the information given by the local educators; the city recognizes that a significant percentage of under-aged e-cigarette users get them from peers who are under the age of 21.
RECOMMENDATION/REQUESTED ACTION: The Chief of Police and staff recommend enacting said ordinance.